The Black Friday Complex
Ok, so it's the weekend of Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and I am guilty of searching sites, adding to baskets and then deciding whether it's really worth it.
Ultimately, as a youth activist who is passionate about protecting the environment, Black Friday is controversial. On one hand, I would love to buy a pair of new jeans, but on the other hand, am I just succumbing to the societal pressure of buying something for the sake of it?
Why is Black Friday bad?
"It leaves the richest in society even richer, adding to the wealth gap and solving none of our society's core issues."
Black Friday encourages impulsive purchases, items we don't even need but believe we will benefit from having them. This in turn contributes to the wasteful and exploitative production and consumption of materials which will inevitably enter landfill, damaging our planet. It leaves the richest in society even richer, adding to the wealth gap and solving none of our society's core issues.
But why can it be good?
"...low income working-class people benefit from the sales to afford basics and items they couldn't have afforded otherwise."
So it seems plain and simple that no one should really be taking part in Black Friday, right? Wrong.
It's not that straightforward. Black Friday is also good. For example, low income working-class people benefit from the sales to afford basics and items they couldn't have afforded otherwise. These people don't deserve to be shamed, and as a university student, I know many in this category, myself included.
Conclusion
This Black Friday weekend, buy items you will actually use or gift to someone. It's ok to treat yourself, this year has been tough on us all. I'd advise investing in loungewear, with two lockdowns already under our elastic pyjama bottom belts. And if you're angry about Black Friday's message, then direct your energy towards the corporations who hike prices and restore them to normal, tricking customers in to believing they are getting a bargain.
We can all do our bit by purchasing thoughtfully and supporting one another in these difficult times.
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