Gil Riego, Jr.
It’s like clockwork.
One morning, every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans gather around low-lit buildings to share an experience that can bring heartache or joy to the average man.
These people suffer through hours of bitter cold of the pre-dawn, some overnight, with only streetlights giving them enough visibility to see a few feet in front of them from the heavy fog.
Some use this morning as an excuse to ignore whatever responsibilities they had for the day. Others try to fit it in before their day even begins.
The people get restless. A worker dressed in a blue shirt and khaki pants walks towards the door, and opens it.
The people flood into the building as if their lives depended on it.
There is yelling. Cheering. Sighing. Jeering.
This is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when retailers offer annual doorbuster deals.
Around 4:30 a.m. I walk up to the front of Best Buy in Woodland Hills. I see the beginning of the line, but I don’t see an end. Following it was a journey in itself; twists and turns around the outside of the building where I can see a faint silhouette of what seems to be the last person.
I reach the end of the 150 foot line and stand idly. I turned around and realized an even longer line has begun to form behind me. I am not there to engage in the bloodthirsty event, I am there to observe.
It was like “Night of the Living Dead,” but instead of zombies craving human flesh, it was humans looking to save $15 on a DVD.
Living in a day and age of instant gratification, it’s easy to see how we’ve fallen into a consumer driven lifestyle. But how much are we willing to do to save $15 dollars?
In a Manhattan Wal-Mart, more than 200 people trampled over a 34-year-old employee after they broke down the doors as he was attempted to open them.
Closer to home, two men were shot in a Toys “R” Us in Palm Desert during the Black Friday rush.
It’s sad when we let our greed take over our better judgment.
This doesn’t seem to be different from any other year, and every year it gets more and more depressing.
In past years, we’ve had to deal with X-Box, Tickle-Me Elmo, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, and Furby obsessions, but this year didn’t even have anything that was worth the wait.
Even though Black Friday happens once a year, releases of iPhones, video games and other “hot items” have caused city block-long lines waiting overnight for those greedy, eager or enthusiastic enough to want one.
It seems that our generation is now just clawing at anything that has a “50% OFF!” tag.
We’ve been slapped with the label of the most self-absorbed generation.
As a proud member of Generation Y, I will do anything possible to remove this stereotype. Hopefully, you will too.
Hundreds of people form a line outside of Best Buy in Woodland Hills, CA Nov. 28. ()
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