We all know the Friday after Thanksgiving as “Black Friday”. Black Friday is known as the first official day to start Christmas shopping. It is a day celebrated all around the United States, much like a holiday, but in all reality it is just celebrating all the money that stores are bringing in. Writer Bob Greene from CNN describes Black Friday as” an annual festival of the cash register.” Yet, Americans still love the day and take advantage of all the deals they can get.

Many people participate in Black Friday all around America. Tons of people go crazy for the sales and reduced prices that stores offer. They stand in line for hours and hours just to be the first ones into the store. Madison Stark, a sophomore at Alliance High School witnessed a lady get stuck in a gate at Victorious Secret one year during Black Friday. Last year, a woman in California pepper sprayed other shoppers just so she could get Xbox video game consoles. Back in 2008, a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death from a crowd of shoppers when opening up the store for Black Friday. Some of these people are willing to do anything just to get a good deal.

Not only is it not very safe to go Black Friday shopping, but people are also questioning if the stores are starting the shopping too early by opening their stores as early as Thanksgiving evening. Many think that the “holiday” takes away from the employee’s and shoppers valuable family time. Stores such as Target, Toys R Us, Sears, and Wal-Mart will all be starting their sales either at 8 or 9 o’clock p.m. on Thanksgiving night.

With all of the safety issues Black Friday brings, many people are debating on whether or not they would like to participate this year. It is sad that our world is so corrupt that we can’t even go shopping in peace.