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Black Friday’s Origins: It’s ‘Black’ for a Reason
Another American consumer export: fistfights over flatscreens with zero giving thanks
Have you ever wondered why it isn’t called ‘White Friday?’ Or since it’s about shopping for Christmas, why not ‘Green’ or ‘Red Friday?’ It isn’t even necessary to use a color and, because most people are out purchasing useless consumer goods for the holidays, it could be called ‘Santa’s Friday Off’ or ‘Elf Labor day.’
It should definitely be called ‘Elf Labor Day’ or ‘Get Shivved over an Espresso Machine Day.’
But, it is Black Friday for a reason. It emerged as a dark, negative thing that came after Thanksgiving and only got worse. That black cloud of consumer culture has gone global. In Prague, it isn’t even a day anymore and there are signs everywhere announcing ‘Black Week.’
Ninety percent of people I speak to abroad have no idea the Friday in Black Friday is because of Thanksgiving Thursday. There are retailers here and elsewhere that run Black Friday sales multiple times a year. It has completely disconnected from ‘giving thanks’ and become its own beast.
It is another one of America’s wonderful exports. Neverending marketing for mindless never-satiated consumerism. Sell, pitch, and hustle, and then buy, buy, buy.
