Jackson Free Press

The trampling death of a Wal-Mart temporary worker yesterday morning in a stampede to shop in a big-box retrailer whose products are mostly made outside the United States sent a clear sign that American needs to grow up and that the marketing creation "Black Friday" needs to end. Not to mention, Black Friday is terrible for local economies and local businesses as people crowd into mega-stores that take much of the profits out of town and out of state (and out of the country, in too many cases.

From The New York Times today:

From the Great Depression, we remember the bread lines. From the oil shocks of the 1970s, we recall lines of cars snaking from gas stations. And from our current moment, we may come to remember scenes like the one at a Long Island Wal-Mart in the dawn after Thanksgiving, when 200 frantic shoppers trampled to death an employee who stood between them and the bargains within.

It was a tragedy, yet it did not feel like an accident. All those people were there, lined up in the cold and darkness, because of sophisticated marketing forces that have produced this day now called Black Friday. They were engaging in early-morning shopping as contact sport. American business has long excelled at creating a sense of shortage amid abundance, an anxiety that one must act now or miss out.

This year, that anxiety comes with special intensity for everyone involved — for shoppers, fully cognizant of the immense strains on the economy, which has made bargains more crucial than ever; for the stores, now grappling with what could be among the weakest holiday seasons on record; and for policy makers around the planet, grappling with how to substitute for the suddenly beleaguered American consumer, whose proclivities for new gadgets and clothing has long been the engine of economic growth from Guangzhou to Guatemala City.

For decades, Americans have been effectively programmed to shop. China, Japan and other foreign powers have provided the wherewithal to purchase their goods by buying staggering quantities of American debt. Financial institutions have scattered credit card offers as if they were takeout menus and turned our houses into A.T.M.'s. Hollywood and Madison Avenue have excelled at persuading us that the holiday season is a time to spend lavishly or risk being found insufficiently appreciative of our loved ones.

After 9/11, President Bush dispatched Americans to the malls as a patriotic act. When the economy faltered early this year, the government gave out tax rebate checks and told people to spend. In a sense, those Chinese-made flat-screen televisions sitting inside Wal-Mart have become American comfort food. [...]

Wages for most Americans have fallen in real terms over the last eight years. Pensions have been turned into 401(k) plans that have just relinquished half their value to an angry market. Health benefits have been downgraded or eliminated altogether. Working hours are being slashed, and full-time workers are having to settle for jobs through temp agencies.

Indeed, this was the situation for the unfortunate man who found himself working at the Valley Stream Wal-Mart at 5 a.m. Friday, a temp at a company emblematic of low wages and weak benefits, earning his dollars by trying to police an unruly crowd worried about missing out.

In a sense, the American economy has become a kind of piñata — lots of treats in there, but no guarantee that you will get any, making people prone to frenzy and sending some home bruised.

It seemed fitting then, in a tragic way, that the holiday season began with violence fueled by desperation; with a mob making a frantic reach for things they wanted badly, knowing they might go home empty-handed.

Previous Comments

ID

141037

Comment

There was also a shooting at a California Toys R Us store in which two people, who allegedly were arguing and shot each other, were killed. The Los Angeles Times story says two women were arguing with each other and the men (possibly their husbands) pulled out guns against each other. I've heard from other news accounts that the argument was over a toy. It's really to see how bad the over-commercialization of Christmas has gotten to where people are losing their lives over it. It was bad enough when parents were fighting in the aisles over Tickle Me Elmo dolls back in the mid-90s.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-11-29T16:09:32-06:00

ID

141044

Comment

I've been to only one Black Friday sale in my life, and that was at Walmart, and it was because I worked there and had no choice. I'm not a big shopper anyway, so I've never been interested in putting myself through that kind of nightmare on a yearly basis. The victims' families have my condolences.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-11-29T20:02:59-06:00

ID

141045

Comment

This is exactly why I don't go near the stores the Friday after Thanksgiving. I can't think of any 'stuff' I need that badly. And I'd rather miss out on a great sale and pay a few extra dollars the following day or week to avoid the traffic, crowds and the temptation to whoop someone's ass for being a rude idiot.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-11-29T21:41:31-06:00

ID

141047

Comment

Cyber Monday is tomorrow. Just think how much of this craziness could be avoided if people went online to buy their items.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-11-30T18:26:30-06:00

ID

141051

Comment

Yeah, but that kind of gets in the way of "buy local" movements, don't you think?

Author

Rico

Date

2008-11-30T19:20:36-06:00

ID

141052

Comment

How about combining the two, Rico? Are there any local stores that let you buy things online?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-11-30T19:38:44-06:00

ID

141053

Comment

I'm sure that there are- I just don't know where to begin looking. I can honestly say that the most hassle free X-mas shopping I ever had was the year that I bought all my presents in the Fondren area. I just walked from one store to the next, and presto, it was done. This was 20 years ago though, before Fondren became so popular- I would imagine that it would be a little more crowded now, but the selection would be much better. Since we will be out of town for the holidays this year all of my relatives are getting gift cards, just because they are easy to carry on a plane.

Author

Rico

Date

2008-11-30T20:42:26-06:00

ID

141056

Comment

I feel ya', GE, today is when I will buy my electronic gifts for Christmas online.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-12-01T08:10:30-06:00

ID

141059

Comment

This response to "Cyber Money" just came in an e-mail from Jeff Good, verbatim: As a Jacksonian, are you conflicted when it comes to buying at big box retailers? Who isn't? It is so easy to be seduced by the overwhelming size, scope and offerings of our nation's finest large format retailers. So how can we resist the tempation of today, "Cyber Monday" with the myriad of online offers and discounts??? It's hard, and probably not possible. But, if we love the quirkiness, focus and authenticity of "home grown" independent shops and restaurants, we need to consider carving out a part of our budget for them... our neighbors who work and give in the community in which we live. So, as the holiday season launches into full swing, Dan and I would like to offer an easy way to make a local purchase while still getting the rush of an online click when buying today, on Cyber Monday. FOR TODAY, AND TODAY ONLY, ALL GIFT CARD PURCHASES PLACED ON LINE AT www.bravobuzz.com WILL RECEIVE A 10% FREE GIFT CARD TO BE MAILED TO THE PURCHASER ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL PURCHASED GIFT CARD. Buy a $60 gift card and get a $6 gift card free... enough for breakfast at Broad Street or lunch at Sal & Mookie's! Like all "Cyber Monday" deals.. this offer is good for TODAY only and expires at midnight. We all enjoy the endorphin release of a good on-line purchase... get that "rush" AND help a local business at the same time! Just click here>>>> www.bravobuzz.com and choose the BUY GIFT CARDS ONLINE link! The credit card input is secure... and we will mail your purchase immediately! Thank you for your consideration, and your support, Jeff Good & Dan Blumenthal BRAVO! Italian Restaurant, Broad Street Baking Company, Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint www.bravobuzz.com / www.broadstbakery.com / www.salandmookies.com

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-12-01T10:26:29-06:00

ID

141060

Comment

Well that is certainly a good way to do it! More local businesses should follow their lead- or at the very least they should be collecting the email addresses of their customers for later use.

Author

Rico

Date

2008-12-01T10:54:03-06:00

ID

141064

Comment

rico, you might want to re think the gift card idea. ;-)

Author

WMartin

Date

2008-12-01T13:49:23-06:00

ID

141948

Comment

Increase in violence and shoplifting at retailers

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-12-02T08:45:13-06:00