Controversy Argument Against Buy-Nothing-Day

Words: 978
Pages: 4

The United States is known to many people for the famous ideals of freedom and bravery that are said to rule the nation, but perhaps a shift has caused the almighty dollar to surpass human importance that America has been built upon. Black Friday, the fourth Friday of November, where mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers across the nation leave their homes and loved ones to engage in the annual act of superfluous purchasing. There is a rebellion brewing amongst the consumers whom wish to take back the Thanksgiving season by celebrating Buy-Nothing-Day on that same Friday. In taking a stand against the unnecessariness that is Black Friday by supporting Buy-Nothing-Day there is hope that over consumerism driving masses to the checkout will …show more content…
As a human race, over 14 billion pounds of mainly plastic trash is dumped into the ocean poisoning the water, which in turn poisons the fish and other sea animals (CEF). With the United States producing 30% of the world’s total waste there are definite worries over the future health concerns that these pollutants can cause; such as lung cancer, heart disease, and even death (CEF). By stopping consumerism for one day there will certainly be an effect on the pollution output as cars are not driving, new plastic packaging is not being thrown away, and the mass production of products being slowed even if for only a day. On Black Friday the 151 million people in cars are all driving to stores or stalling while waiting to park, and during this time the average car will generate half a ton of Carbon Dioxide emissions (CEF). Switching the car off, locking up the credit cards, and staying with family can save current generations as well as future generations from the illnesses associated and directly caused by pollutes. The immediate effects consumerism has on people of the modern era is certainly frightening, but to imagine that the misguided need for a television can release plumes of pollution that lead to life-long diseases in beyond the scope of …show more content…
When looking back upon fond memories there will not be one about buying a cheap television that is not even operational anymore. Black Friday is no longer just a one-day affair with deals online through Cyber Monday that take the mental strain of shopping sales out of the equation(NY Times). Even sales associates will benefit from a Buy-Nothing-Day with less stress from rioting mobs and brawling shoppers. Black Friday has stores opening at 3 p.m. Thursday and staying open for over 24 hours leaving employees attempting to work overtime for the money while consumers wait outside the stores in varieties of weather. Snow, rain, and extreme heat are all possible weather conditions for consumers to be waiting in for hours on end. The toll that weather, mental strain, and sleep deprivation have on both consumers and employees alike can cause accidents leaving and sickness for weeks after. The recovery time emotionally from seeing adults brawl to recovering physically from staying up to points of exhaustion are nowhere near the recovery needed mentally from the amount of distrust that amounts from experiencing Black