Each year, people all across America gather to celebrate the one truly important holiday in November: Black Friday. Black Friday’s Eve, formerly known as Thanksgiving, is just a precursor to the real excitement and celebration of shopping at 1 a.m. In simpler times, Thanksgiving was the more important holiday. It was once a symbol of unity and gratitude, yet it has become an over-commercialized, money making device thanks to big American retailers. Each year stores open earlier and earlier, and eat away at the time that is meant to be spent with loved ones. How can we give thanks for the things that we already have if we are waiting in lines to buy things that we do not?
For many people, Thanksgiving has become more of a family “carbo cram” before Black Friday, and less of a celebration of the things they already
have. Turkey is now something that
people eat for insulation as they brave the long lines at Best Buy. Leftover pie is now a weapon to throw at the lady who thinks that your new 50’’ Panasonic HDTV is her new 50’’ Panasonic HDTV.

Along with tarnishing the spirit of Thanksgiving, Black Friday provides plenty of room for potential injuries and ailments. According to blackfridaydeathcount.com, there have been seven deaths and ninety eight injuries on Black Friday since 2006. Death and injury do not seem to fit with the idea of giving thanks, yet Black Friday has brought these things upon us. While death may not be likely for the majority, hypothermia and frostbite are real threats for anyone. The time between midnight and dawn is the coldest part of the day, and that is when most shoppers are waiting in lines. These afflictions can lead to the loss of fingers, toes, and other body parts.
This Thanksgiving, Americans should eat more turkey and lose fewer body parts and spend more time with family and less with angry strangers. We should all try spending Black Friday’s Eve being grateful for the things that we do have, like family, friends, and fingers.