I've seen the posts on my Facebook timeline....the ones where Black Friday crowds are compared to crowds of people in a third-world country who have nothing but are still happy. I'm not sure what the motivation is for people posting those, but I want to talk about those pictures for a minute.
Let me preface this post by saying I don't go out shopping for Black Friday sales, but it's not because I hate the idea of Black Friday or because I am affected by pictures of people with nothing in third-world countries. I don't do Black Friday because I hate crowds of people. I don't do rallies or large concerts or sporting events for the same reason. I did attend a few Baltimore Orioles games in the past few years, but was willing to go because we had box seats and there are only a handful of people in a box seat and they feed you very well. (Oh, those crab cakes!) I don't avoid Black Friday for any noble reason.
I did Black Friday twice in my life that I can remember and it was when my oldest two kids were really little. I went with my sister-in-law, who went every year, and I was stressed out, peopled-out and exhausted by the end of the day. It's not my cup of tea.
But, I think those who do participate in Black Friday are doing a great thing. They are bargain hunting all while boosting our economy. Black Friday and other major sales which bring people out are part of the reason we are not a third-world country. Not only does it show that our Republic is thriving, it shows an energetic economy that is continuing to grow.
So, before we come down hard on those Black Friday shoppers, we need to stop for a minute and realize all they do for our economy. We need to realize we are a first-world country because our economy is strong and sales like this are possible.
We have an expectation here in the USA that families should all stay home on Thanksgiving and do family things. But, some families don't need such a box to operate in. Some families can bond over a bargain or by going to lunch together after a full morning of shopping that started at 5am. Not every family has the opportunity to do what most people think is a traditional Thanksgiving. I, personally, don't like the idea of going out shopping on Thanksgiving Day or the day after because I do all the cooking and am pretty exhausted afterward. Plus, again, the crowds.
I would like to see less condemnation of Black Friday shoppers and, instead, see more "live and let live." One shopping trip when a person can save the most money does not indicate they have their priorities mixed up, it might be the only way some can even give gifts to their loved ones. It does not indicate they are not laying treasures in Heaven. God so loved that He gave and most people are giving to mimic that, however short they fall. Only God knows their hearts.
A free market economy like we enjoy here in this great Republic allows us to give more to those poor people of the world who have nothing. It allows us to employ people and cause economic growth. Many great American individuals and organizations have helped start schools, businesses, rebuild towns, provided needed medical care, etc., in third-world countries. Without our robust economy, we would not be able to do that.
Yes, I know, some people go to Black Friday events and get violent and aggressive, but aggressive, violent behaviors happen regardless of Black Friday because there continues to be evil people in the world.
Enjoy your free market economy and realize it's why you are not sitting on a street corner in your own dirt with nothing.
The real Black Friday woe is the condemnation of its participants by those who make themselves judges.
Go shopping guilt free.
(Guilt is a deceptive motivator anyway.)
~Tricia
