Black Friday

If you participated in this year's Black Friday, I'd encourage you to rethink doing so.

I personally don't participate in Black Friday, not only because I strongly dislike overwhelming crowds of people trampling each other to get into department stores, but for a larger reason: Black Friday perpetuates capitalism. Capitalism is one of the most prevalent issues in our society today, virtually to the point where it controls the lives of every single person in the United States.

Is there a link between Black Friday and capitalism? Yes: an increase in demand on days such as Black Friday encourages an increase in production and resources needed to fulfill that demand. In order for production to happen, workers are thrown into a system that oppresses each and every one of them as well as the poor because all of this only profits the rich minority, who trick the workers into thinking that they are playing a role in "stimulating the economy" while they, in reality, are simply units in a mass-production complex. Not only does this harm the workers without them knowing it, but it harms the environment as well. What keeps factories going? What are electronics (yes, your phone and computer) and clothing made of? Think about it: deforestation and the pollution of air and water are byproducts of this demand. Worst of all, capitalism perpetuates greed, both among the public and large corporations; humans are naturally selfish and we will never get tired of wanting more. In the end, the only people who really benefit are the capitalists themselves.

I understand that going shopping on Black Friday is a tradition for many families in the United States. Clearly, however, we must take a step back and think about the deeper implications of this "tradition".