KEARSTIN CANTRELL | Opinions Editor
One of the things I feel the worst about in my life is that when I was a child I wanted a video camera so badly for Christmas that my mom went Black Friday shopping to get it.
Black Friday is the epitome of American consumerism, and it needs to go.
I know, I know, unpopular opinion. Because when else do you get to buy expensive holiday presents for nearly half of what they’re worth?
But hear me out. Black Friday is starting to impede on Thanksgiving, and I’m not all right with that.
Because of Black Friday, many retail workers lose their Thanksgiving. It seems like every year Black Friday deals start earlier and earlier.
In my opinion, if a sale starts earlier than 5 a.m. on Friday, there’s no reason for it.
You should be spending quality time with your family and friends, and so should store workers.
Black Friday is also dangerous. Remember a few years ago when a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death at the store’s 5 a.m. opening.
That’s not a singular occurrence; every year people are injured during Black Friday shopping. It’s such a common occurrence that the New York Daily News has compiled a list of the five worst Black Friday injuries.
There’s even a website dedicated to keeping track of deaths and injuries that occur on Black Friday every year.
Screengrab from blackfridaydeathcount.com
Wake up, America. $300 off a TV isn’t worth someone’s life.
Black Friday just isn’t the way to kick off the shopping season.
I don’t know about you, but when I think about holiday shopping, I think about casually walking through a store with a cup of coffee and talking to friendly retail workers as I look for the perfect presents.
What I don’t think is be pushed around in a store by frustrated, and even sometimes enraged, shoppers.
If you really need to save money on holiday presents, consider taking part in Cyber Monday instead of Black Friday.
The deals are just as good, if not better, it doesn’t impede on Thanksgiving, nobody gets hurt and you can shop from the comfort of your own home.
Black Friday just isn’t worth the cost.
