tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979975666956473885.post4641224989706010529..comments2020-07-13T10:05:56.423-04:00Comments on The More Things Change : The Commercialization of ThanksgivingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04513283457465766143noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979975666956473885.post-65294531166769413692012-12-02T12:39:56.821-05:002012-12-02T12:39:56.821-05:00Ms. Keller,
I really believe that if students wer...Ms. Keller,<br /><br />I really believe that if students were imbued with the value of gratitude, understood the history of our country, and were taught about the hard work of the pilgrims (notwithstanding the Native American suffering), then they would choose to commemorate and celebrate this meaningful holiday over the sale of any new toy, electronic gadget, etc. However, this might be a bit too idealistic. Shopping is an essential element of keeping our economy strong, and kids will always want the newest thing, at the best price, or at least whatever the ads on T.V. tell them is good. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04513283457465766143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979975666956473885.post-88695108188314729642012-11-28T18:21:26.873-05:002012-11-28T18:21:26.873-05:00Phillip-
Do you think that just by teaching the i...Phillip-<br /><br />Do you think that just by teaching the importance of Thanksgiving, people (or students), would choose Thanksgiving over great shopping? Michael, what are your thoughts? Ms. Kellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00223232596382368823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979975666956473885.post-29158952653461008962012-11-28T15:57:28.560-05:002012-11-28T15:57:28.560-05:00Well like I said, in order to prevent the demoting...Well like I said, in order to prevent the demoting, if you will, of Thanksgiving I believe it is necessary for schools to take upon the responsibility of teaching students the real meanings behind holidays such as Thanksgiving. And I couldn't agree more that having shopping events such as Black Friday are great for the economy and I think they should continue on. And I think it should be noted that shopping events such as Black Friday are not the only days where people fight for the products they are after. It really isn't that much of a rarity. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979975666956473885.post-22436313440986741632012-11-28T14:08:52.164-05:002012-11-28T14:08:52.164-05:00Michael and Phillip-
Another great discussion! I ...Michael and Phillip-<br /><br />Another great discussion! I really feel split on this topic- I agree that Black Friday has been taken to a whole other level (the fact that it is not uncommon for people to physically fight over products sends a strong signal that something is seriously wrong!)- but, on the other hand, the holiday shopping time provides jobs for many people and does help boost the economy. <br /><br />In the recent years, stores have been opening earlier and earlier (i.e. on Thursday night)- I read an article last week about how in the coming years many Black Friday shoppers will start shopping as early as Thursday morning. What will this do to Thanksgiving?! Ms. Kellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00223232596382368823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979975666956473885.post-81900459304630316912012-11-27T21:56:01.204-05:002012-11-27T21:56:01.204-05:00Phillip- Thank you for raising such an important p...Phillip- Thank you for raising such an important point that I didn't mention. Schools really should accept the responsibility, and educate our children more fully and accurately about Thanksgiving, Veteran's Day, and 4th of July so that American children know about important events that took place in our country, and why it's our duty to remember them. <br /><br />In regards to your first claim, I think you make a fine case, but I am unsure about your conclusion. Why don't you have a problem with Black Friday, or sales on Labor Day? These sales are not connected to the holidays they are situated on, and sometimes even promote values that run contrary to their respective holiday dates (see Black Friday)! <br /><br />In other words, while yes, shopping is a great way to stimulate our economy, and American consumers should definitely be spending more right now, why do we need to promote that to the extent of commercializing and monetizing our beloved holidays? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04513283457465766143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979975666956473885.post-6345138140649693242012-11-27T20:18:01.568-05:002012-11-27T20:18:01.568-05:00Very interesting topic...
Michael I have split fe...Very interesting topic...<br /><br />Michael I have split feelings on this. I really don't have a problem with things like Black Friday or doorbuster deals on Labor Day. I have a problem with that we do not take these holidays seriously or appreciate them, but that is NOT to say that we should stop these major shopping days. I believe that Schools need to take such holidays like Thanksgiving and spend time discussing the history and meaning behind the holidays and how they relate to us. Philliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16502862283908903377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979975666956473885.post-84801051615068173892012-11-26T16:10:48.357-05:002012-11-26T16:10:48.357-05:00I really love this line:
> Only in America do...I really love this line:<br /><br />> Only in America do we have a day where we are thankful for what we have, and then turn the following day ... into a time where we literally trample other people in order to get what we think we need<br /><br />On the almost-obscene excess of commercialization in America, see also the Amazon Random Shopper: http://randomshopper.tumblr.com/<br />It buys things for you from Amazon completely at random. The creator of Random Shopper was very conscious of the irony. He writes: "How would these purchases make me feel? Would they actually be any less meaningful than the crap I buy myself on a regular basis anyway?" So he did this as a kind of artistic critique/comment on society, I guess.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com