a week of giving thanks pt 5

It's Buy Nothing Day. A day to say no to consumerism. In the US it falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday. This is a day when stores lure customers in with promises of deep discounts earlier and earlier. This year many stores opened at 9pm on Thanksgiving Day. Others opened as early as 4am Friday morning. Who wants to shop at that hour? Again people lined up for hours to ensure they could take advantage of the best deals. Think a day like this isn't important?

In a Wal*Mart in Long Island, New York, a group of shoppers mobbed the front door at 5am and trampled a worker. The man died. Others were injured and taken to local hospitals. Among these was a pregnant woman. Reportedly angry shoppers refused to leave the store when employees explained the situation.

In a Toys-R-Us in California, two men pulled guns on each other. They both died. A statement released from the company said that it is unfair to characterize this incident with Black Friday, as the men knew each other. It still remains unclear exactly what caused the dispute. Does make you wonder though how many of your fellow shoppers might be packing heat?

So, what did you buy today? Here are some ideas for taking back the holidays.

If you were not successful, remember that Buy Nothing Day is observed internationally this year on Saturday, November 29, 2008. You get a second chance to buy nothing.

on the night stand :: Annie Leibovitz at Work by Annie Leibovitz