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December 2009
Getting the Goods
Dear Friends,
I hope everyone lived through so-called “Black Friday" a couple of weeks ago. I hope there were no injuries, bumps or bruises from the great crowds of people scampering for the latest TV or electronic device that we just can’t live without.
Black Friday and much of the shopping season over the holidays scare me. Farmers are capitalists too. I understand how our economy works and how people need to spend hard-earned dollars so local merchants can make a living and feed their families, and I’m all for that. But the concept that a material good that should probably fall under the “want” category, not the “need” category, would prompt grown adults to act like animals is kind of mind-boggling. The idea that this electronic device is more important than the life and well-being of another human is a poor reflection of our current human condition.
It is hard to believe that folks would push, trample and fight over these material objects, like they were the last scraps of food on earth and we were a starving population. I wonder if common courtesy and manners of any kind just leave us on Black Friday?
When we are with acquaintances, and the talk turns to new cars, boats, pickups, big screen TVs, surround-sound stereo and other things that I can’t even begin to purchase, my mind is overloaded and I simply “zone out” the conversation. It is above my head and my pocket book. Many of us worry so much about putting food on the table and paying for those little things like shelter and clothing that the other stuff is out of our league entirely.
It is not that I wouldn’t like some of those things for my family, nor do I begrudge anyone who has the means to do so, but it is so far off my radar screen that I guess I find it difficult to relate.
Most readers of this column already think – along with my own family members – that I live in the Dark Ages, so these little revelations should come as no surprise. Yet, I wonder about balance in our lives these days, and how we as a nation can find it again.
Fortunately, Black Friday and mega-sales are usually balanced out with truly charitable efforts on behalf of the poor. Churches and businesses join together to raise money, acquire toys and food items for less-privileged families. Many local food pantries rely heavily on the holiday giving spirit of local citizens to fill their shelves. Organizations take this opportunity to obtain clothing and coats for children.
The Advent and Christmas seasons may kick off with Black Friday, but they fortunately culminate for many of us with Christmas Day, which is decidedly more important. It is a long way from Black Friday craziness to the whole “Peace on Earth and good will toward men” message, and the two seem at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to human activities.
There are so many around the world who are so much poorer than we are in terms of physical wealth. Children are starving. People do not have food to eat or shelter or clothing. So I’m glad Black Friday is far in the past, and now we can focus on the really important part of the holiday season - preparing ourselves and our families for the true meaning of Christmas and the holiday season.
Talk with you next week.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
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