With America’s favorite holiday hastily approaching, we are all reminded to give thanks. However, the sad fact is that most Americans are not thankful for the blessing that is America. Here there is an abundance of food, shelter, protection, education, opportunity and most importantly, freedom. Yet rather than taking a second to actually live like we are thankful, Americans today are too busy thinking about what they don’t have and how they can get it. Consumerism is turning a once wonderful holiday that all Americans could celebrate together — regardless of race, religion or location — into a shopping spree that turns our attention away from what is truly important and undermines the very theme of the holiday.
If you turn on the television, you will surely see a variety of advertisements for Black Friday and other “great” deals that stores have to offer precisely when we are supposed to be spending time with our families and being grateful for what we already have. If you suddenly get sick of watching commercial after commercial, all imploring you to buy and spend, and you go to see the latest development on YouTube, you will undoubtedly witness the phenomenon of civilized people transformed into savages, stampeding through stores as if at war. All this on a day when we are supposed to contemplate the blessings we have.
Thanksgiving symbolizes the birth of our nation and embodies what it means to be an American. On this day America unites. Unfortunately, during these big sale events, being an American in this generation does not look so patriotic or commendable. While people in other countries can only dream and pray for the life that most of us have in the U.S., we are too preoccupied in an all-out battle, wrestling with one another for whatever coveted item is 50 percent off. One would think that stores would close so employees could go home and take part in America’s oldest tradition, but sadly that is not the reality. Many large franchises open late Thursday night and stay open throughout Friday. Therefore, many workers are forced to try and organize the chaos that is Black Friday and consequently miss Thanksgiving dinner with their families so they can keep their jobs and put food on the table.
America is certainly not without its faults, but it is still a place where people can prosper. The paradox is that during a sacred day of reflection and thanks, people sacrifice limited time with their loved ones to go and purchase insignificant and meaningless products. Granted, these sales do help many families purchase expensive presents for their loved ones that they would not be able to afford otherwise. Still, let’s all be honest: That is not why the stores are filled with people who are neck and neck, clutching items for dear life and with every intention of ripping them from the other person’s grasp. The sales themselves are fueled by people’s irrational desire for brand name merchandise that they do not need. Saving money is great, and consumerism is essential to a healthy economy, but is it really more important than taking the time on just one day of the entire year to appreciate what we already have? Thanksgiving is not about a turkey, a parade, a football game or even a big sale. Thanksgiving is about family and thanks. This year, do more than just say what it is you are thankful for. Take one day out of 365, and live like you are thankful.