Thanksgetting

As Thanksgiving approaches, a few things come to mind: turkey, football, family, and the anti-holiday, Black Friday. I guess I shouldn't say anti-holiday. I should also clarify that I am not totally opposed to the Black Friday craze. I just find that Black Friday seems to overshadow Thanksgiving increasingly each year. Pretty soon, we'll scrap the whole turkey nonsense and focus on the "real" holiday at hand.

There are two kinds of people in this world: those that find delight in the thought of stuffing away turkey, sleeping for fifteen minutes, and heading out at the crack of dawn to head into the jungle that is the retail industry on the Friday after Thanksgiving...and those that don't. Don't get me wrong; I appreciate a good deal just as much as the next gal. However, the succession of holiday events seems somewhat inconsistent. It's ironic, isn't it? Let's all get together, share a lovely dinner, discuss how blessed we are, only to get ruthless at the mall as we fight over the latest digital gadget hours later.

Thanksgiving, as its name implies, means gathering with family and friends to spend time together and express appreciation (at least that's what I was always taught). After partaking in this wholesome experience, however, many Americans clear their plates--along with their gratitude--and take on the personas of materialistic vultures. I'm talking about the worst-case scenarios, of course, but still. I think some of us need to reassess our values. Even though many venture into the abyss of Black Friday for holiday shopping purposes, in pursuit of gifts for others, the persistent mindset of Black Friday shoppers is what is most upsetting to me. The measures that some people take to win this shopping marathon can be quite disturbing.

We've all heard some Black Friday horror story. One in particular has resonated with me. A couple years ago, an employee was killed at a Long Island Walmart in the early morning hours of Black Friday. Killed. As in, this person's life was unjustly taken as a result of a cultural oversight of basic values. I don't think it's wrong to want to get a bargain. I do, however, think its wrong when this obsession for saving money comes at the price (no pun intended) of human life. No amount of "great deals" can ever justify the harm or death of another.

As Black Friday looms, it's crucial to think in terms of the big picture (no, not the big picture TV). Is it worth it? If your answer is yes, it's worth it to wake up at 3:30 am in order to wait in line at Walmart, that is absolutely your prerogative. Just remember not to take anyone down in the process.