Originally published in The Globe December 3, 2013
Black Friday and its Internet accomplice Cyber Monday are known as the most depraved times of the year for the human spirit. The day after families come together to celebrate what they’re thankful for, they’re pushing over old ladies in Target to buy the last pair of Beats headphones. Now, consumerism can’t even wait until the dishes are done as stores are opening their sales and doors on Thanksgiving Day.
The days following Thanksgiving have been mocked across all media, labeled as soulless and inhuman and heralded as a sign our consumerist culture has gone to the dark side, to the point where a death toll the day after is expected.
But as people stampeded malls, overfilled digital shopping carts and otherwise degraded themselves for bargains this holiday weekend, some took time to clean up their act and participate in the shining beacon of hope that is Small Business Saturday.
Jane McAnallen 