Black Friday: The Controversy Of The Biggest Shopping Day Of The Year

Black Friday is the most anticipated shopping day of the year. What once was a fun tradition has now become a stressful event that sparks bouts of violence. Three shootings occurred in different shopping areas across the country during Black Friday 2016. Of these shootings one man died and several others were injured. At least one of the shootings was caused by a parking spot dispute. Gun violence over a single parking spot seems a bit extreme for an event that is supposed to be fun. The following quote reflects the concerns of one shopper that was present at the shooting in New Jersey this year.
"It's sad. We've been doing this, me and the girls, for probably about 10 years, just for the fun of going out -- a girls' night and trying to get some special sales and it's getting scary now."

As of 2006 there have been 8 deaths and 98 injuries throughout the US on Black Friday. Black Friday shoppers are becoming increasingly stressed and violent when things do not go their way. Fights over discounted products and parking spaces have become a part of the Black Friday Tradition. In 2008, 2,000 shoppers were so focused on fulfilling their own material desires that they trampled a 34 year-old Walmart employee in New York. Shoppers showed zero concern for the injured man and ignored the police's attempt to assist him. The level of selfishness that is displayed on Black Friday exemplifies consumers' desire to receive discounts above all else. Incidents involving handguns, knives, and pepper spray are now the norm for Black Friday. Personally, this animalistic behavior makes me very disappointed in consumers, especially since this behavior occurs the day after Thanksgiving. In less than 24 hours, Black Friday shoppers have forgotten all the things they said they were thankful for the night before.

Another controversy surrounding Black Friday is focused on the treatment of the employees that work Black Friday. Black Friday staff have to comply with unreasonable demands, work long shifts, risk their health and safety to manage crowds, and sell products that were specifically made for Black Friday that have lower quality specifications. Many employees dread working Black Friday because of the long hours and crowds. Is it really fair to make these employees endure terrible work conditions just so companies can receive a spike in revenue this one day of the year?

There are some companies that refuse to participate in the stressful Black Friday sales. Instead these companies prefer to protect its employees and customers from mindless consumerism. REI for example is closed on Black Friday, giving its employees a paid day off. This act shows that REI is a company that doesn't value profits more than its employees. I greatly admire REI for its Black Friday strategy. Just the act of closing its does may cause some shoppers to stop and think about the reasons why a store isn't open on Black Friday. Maybe this is our glimmer of hope. It's up to companies like REI to help consumers remember what's important in life and break their Black Friday addictions.