Black Friday, The Holiday That Continues to Overshadow Thanksgiving

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Phillip Denne, Writer

With Thanksgiving approaching, the holiday that immediately follows it, Black Friday, is on its way as well. Black Friday is an informal name for the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, which has also been regarded of the beginning of the Christmas shopping season since 1952.  

The holiday has gained major popularity over the year, especially this year, with stores such as J.C. Penney opening as early as 2 PM on Thanksgiving. While capitalist companies think that the early openings are an opportunity to rack in as much money as possible, it is their employees and customers who suffer because they cannot spend time with their families. “I do not do Black Friday shopping,” says Senior Keith Calloway ‘19. “However, I do find it cool that some stores are opening early on Thanksgiving, even though it will probably be a waste since that is too early and a lot of people will be with their families. I don’t even arrive to Thanksgiving until 4 PM!,” Calloway also stated. Calloway’s opinion holds true with other people around Whitney Young, such as Junior Sherri Arnold ‘20. “I think that it is bogus that employees have to work all day and cannot be around their families, regardless of the fact that they may be paid time-and-a-half for their contributions. But companies do not care about their employees, it’s all about business booming and more opportunities to make money,” Arnold proclaimed.

Although it is the popular opinion to be against the early openings for Black Friday, it is not the only opinion. Some students are indifferent about the matter, like Sophomore Stephanie Diaz ‘21.  “I don’t Black Friday shop, so I don’t care. Thanksgiving isn’t as big a deal of holiday like Christmas, so I don’t care about what time businesses open or who’s coming to shop,” Diaz says.  With J.C. Penney being the catalyst for early openings on Thanksgiving for Black Friday, rival companies may up the ante for Black Friday 2019 and open up their stores at Noon. We will just have to wait and see.