Musings of a Confused Consumer on Black Friday

So, it is upon us once again- Black Friday. Growing up in a mind-controlling cult we never celebrated holidays. There was no Thanksgiving meal, no lights strung up, no Christmas tree, no birthday songs and the like. There were no holiday traditions. So, expectedly, I have no memories of any Black Friday craze or traditions that have permeated our culture since the 1960s. Yes, the 1960s. It wasn't until the 1980s that Black Friday became a national event. What precedes the titling of this national shopping spree is a story of looters and absolute mayhem that gave local cops a migraine. They attempted to change the name from Black Friday to Big Friday, hoping to rid the negative views of Black Friday, but it never caught on. Resulting in the recreation of Black Friday and adding on a more pleasant notion of our country's attempt to boost the economy in order to "get out of the red and into the black, hooray!" Gag. Regardless of when or why, Black Friday never meant much to me growing up. As an adult, it means about the same: nothing. I find no joy in pushy crowds, the hype of sales for more ill-produced crap filling our earth needlessly or to spend my hard earned cash on things that may not bring me any lasting happiness. All that being said, it's probably obvious that I am not much of a consumer of goods and services. I do consume things that I believe contribute to my health and happiness. You see, I do purchase at-home fitness programs, fitness equipment, apparel and I spend the bulk of any "extra" money I might have on things that better my body and mind; good food to prepare at home, books that enrich my mind and relationships as well as programs that are geared towards my strength, flexibility and health. Question to you is: when did the 55" flat screen t.v, the iPhone 7, the furby and an assortment of stale cheese and sausages from Hickory Farm become more important than a mind blowing book that aids in human interaction, an at-home workout program that has no monthly fees attached and a decent, healthy meal?

Pruitt, S. (2015, November 24). What's the Real History of Black Friday? Retrieved November 27, 2015, from http://www.history.com/news/whats-the-real-history-of-black-friday

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