Black Friday takes place the day after Thanksgiving which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. The earliest use of the term “Black Friday” dates back to Sept. 24, 1869 and was used to coin the day that the stock market crashed due to the prices of gold. The term “Black Friday” as we know it was first used in 1950 in the city of Philadelphia by police officers to describe the traffic and havoc that emerged on the day after Thanksgiving. Over time, it evolved to refer to the surge in profit retailers had due to the surge in holiday shopping.
On Black Friday, retailers offer discounts on a wide range of products from electronics and appliances to clothing and toys. These deals are designed to attract a large number of customers, both in store and online. However, it has also been proven that Black Friday can be deceptive.
According to consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch, “Some Black Friday deals are misleading as retailers may inflate original prices to make a deal look like a better value.” The rush to grab deals can cloud judgment, causing consumers to buy items that appear cheap.
Shoppers often line up hours in advance to take advantage of the deals which often results in a hectic shopping experience. Senior Kassi Morales said, “People get crazy during Black Friday and I hate the long lines. I usually try to avoid stores during it.”
This event has become well known for being one of the busiest and shopping days of the year but despite its popularity Black Friday has faced controversy for promoting overconsumption and encouraging chaotic shopping behavior. This event pushes Americans into buying unnecessary items that usually end up in landfills. The focus on acquiring the newest and “cheapest” products that Black Friday tries to promote overshadows the importance of sustainable and long-lasting products.
The average American already purchases more than they need. Community members do not need a special event that promotes wasting money. Junior Sumaya Yusuf said, “The chaos is not even worth the bad deals.”
Black Friday shopping has a massive impact on the environment. It is another example of how consumerism creates waste in an waste-filled world.
