As those of us in the U.S. know, this past Friday was Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, the official start of the consumption-crazed holiday shopping season.
For the 2 weeks prior to Black Friday, my mail box, my local newspaper and my computer spam filter were loaded with ads heralding rock bottom prices for all sorts of consumer goods. I got ads offering new clothes, new electronics, new furniture which didn’t require any payment at all for up to 24 months! Retailers were clearly worried: would people come shopping in the face of growing economic insecurity, rising gas prices, mounting consumer debt, collapsing mortgages, and increasing unemployment? If there was ever a year to skip shopping on Black Friday – as well as more broadly – this is it.
But people did shop. Across the country, people left the Thanksgiving dinners early on Thursday night to sleep in their cars and line up in store parking lots hours before scheduled store openings, which were moved forward to 5:00 am in many places. Putting aside for now the bogus manufactured myth of the origins of this uniquely U.S. holiday, it is nonetheless a time for families and loved ones to stop working, to gather and give thanks. It is one of the few national holidays that don’t dictate buying stuff to show one’s affection for another. While there is a budding Thanksgiving paraphernalia industry (little plastic turkeys for the front yard, rosy cheeked pilgrim placemats), for my generation of people in the U.S., the day remains primarily about gratitude, not consumption. It requires spending the day cooking, baking, and chopping. It requires hours of playing board games and exchanging stories with family members perhaps only seen once or twice a year.
I spent my Thanksgiving with 20 close friends in a rural area, with no TV and spotty cell phone coverage. Only an occasional text message came through, including one from a friend, Ariane, telling me that a worker at a Wal-Mart had been trampled to death by out of control shoppers.
When I got home last night, I learned more. Shoppers began gathering in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart on Long Island, New York, at 9:00 pm Thanksgiving evening. At 5:00 am, when the store was scheduled to open, the crowd of more than 2,000 people stormed the door. A temporary worker, 34 year old Jdimytai Damour, was overwhelmed by the crowd surging to get inside. Witnesses said people walked over Damour to get to the bargains promised inside. Emergency medical officers who arrived to help were also jostled and stepped on by the shoppers. Damour was pronounced dead just after 6:00 am. He died of asphyxiation; he was trampled to death.
Wal-Mart didn’t adequately prepare for the crowds, even though a high turnout was expected and this same store had problems last year, even though police had met Wal-Mart before Black Friday to suggest enhanced security measures. Wal-Mart had not bothered to erect barricades, develop systems to moderate and control the number of people who entered at a time or set up any number of measures that could have held back the surging crowd, as other stores did in preparation for the biggest, most manic shopping day of the year. For all these reasons, I believe this as not an accident; it was inevitability. The local Police Commissioner, Lawrence Mulvey, called the situation a “recipe for disaster.”
Sadly, the disaster extends far beyond this one senseless death.
Our consumption driven economy depends on a pattern of constant exploitation and violence towards both people and the planet. This violence is largely hidden from view for us shoppers in wealthy countries, but communities around the world know the reality, even if it isn’t shown on TV or in shiny advertisements. Violence happens at the point of extraction, when communities are displaced and water supplies are poisoned with toxic chemicals from mining operations. Violence happens at the production stage, when workers are exposed to chemicals linked to cancer, neurological disorders, and birth defects. Violence happens at the disposal end, when unwanted electronics – laced with toxic heavy metals and flame retardants – are shipped to China and India because wealthy consumers don’t want them in our own communities anymore.
Yes, Wal-Mart should have taken more precautionary action and it should be held accountable for its lack of responsibility. But the problem goes far beyond Wal-Mart. As Nassau County police Detective Lt. Michael Fleming said: “Today, it happened to be Wal-Mart. It could have been any other store where hundreds and hundreds of people gather.”
Our current economy depends on excessive levels of personal consumption, even when this consumer spending is resulting in personal and ecological debt beyond a sustainable level. As a result, both the economic and the ecological systems are in crisis. Both need immediate attention and drastic interventions.
It’s the perfect time to go beyond a band aid approach to the connected economic-ecological problems. This is a perfect moment for raising the hard questions, for challenging and replacing the underlying system that is trashing both the planet and its people. Right now U.S. government is figuring out how to rescue the sinking U.S. economy. Right now, world leaders are meeting in Poznan, Poland to figure out how to prevent even more climate disruption. Right now, a family in New York is mourning the death of Jdimytai Damour.
Let’s turn it around. Let’s disengage from the consumer frenzy this holiday season. For many of us, it would be a relief to both give and receive less stuff this year. Spend less time at stores like Wal-Mart and more time with our friends and families. Donate to those in need, in lieu of ever more superfluous gift giving. Let’s make our displays of love be a net plus, rather than a drain, on our budgets, our communities and our planet.
Let’s honor Jdimytai Damour by promising “never again.” Let’s celebrate the holiday season in ways that build something new.
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December 2nd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way! May we rise up together and take a stand!
Thank you!
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Why yes, yes I do! I drive a Toyota Prius!
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Annie – you share the message so well. You’ve become one of my role models.
I also was disgusted when I heard that Jdimytai Damour’s death was caused by people wanting to …. shop.
How did our attitudes become so selfish?!
I’m with you for disengaging from consumption and engaging in real life.
Keep it up!
Rach
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Walmart should donate all revenue from their Black Friday to either a grief counseling organization or the family of Jdimytai Damour (or both). That would still not be enough to make up for the senseless death that occurred under their roof.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-liwalm1129-pg,0,2766609.photogallery
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this beautiful, sensitive, intelligent commentary on not only Damour’s death but the whole insane context. Let’s hope the unspeakable senselessness of this tragedy helps to shake more people into common sense about our current crises.
And thanks for “The Story of Stuff.” Wow. Truly the most amazing presentation I’ve seen on global economics–and I’ve been involved in one way or another with movements for alternatives since the early ’90s. I can’t wait to show it to my class.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I am afraid that I heard that the story gets even worse. After his death, the Wal-Mart needed to be closed beause it was an active crime scene. When Police officials tried to shut the store, and tell customers to leave, some refused and actaully got angry with them even though they had contributed to KILLING THIS MAN! This inability to even acknowledge the value of a human life indicates consumerism is even more deadly than we thought.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:06 pm
For several years now, my partner and I have participated in a “buy-nothing Christmas” (we don’t buy gifts for each other or anyone else; instead, we spend time visiting people and sending well-wishes). While some of our relative balk at this approach, others have decided that “hey, this isn’t a bad idea” and have come on board, at least partially (i.e., a “buy-less Christmas”).
Just like you, I was horrified by what happened at Wal-Mart. I’m saddened that his death hasn’t affected people more than it has.
On a happier note, I have found a use for the unsolicited ads for goods that appear in my mailbox — I cut them up into letters and create anti-shopping signs that I’ve displayed in the windows of my apartment. It’s a little thing — not a full-scale protest — but I do enjoy using the “tools of the master” (in this case, the corporations) against them.
Thanks for sharing your research with us. It’s a great video.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I’m with you! I posted my own take on this tragic and seemingly already forgotten event last week. Don’t forget Jdimytai Damour – invoke the Damour Act of Decency!
December 4th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Hi Annie:
Fabulous video, the statistics are staggering. I loved the part about computers. I really believe I’ve been conned by companies like Dell. Their are designed to break within a year – just the day after your warranty expires. Happened to me twice and I drew the line.
In our home, we run things to the ground as much as possible. Just two months ago we traded our 18-year-old TV for a new one – after it stopped functioning. Wonder which landfill it’s at now. You’ve made me feel very guilty.
Thanks for educating us.
December 4th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I am a UK resident, living in London and I am trying to spread the word of this website as far as possible. This story was not really covered in the news over here, but because I can see this sort of horrendous incident is not so very far from happening over here, reading about it made me feel sick.
Every time a new IKEA store opens in the UK, people camp out overnight and even physically assault each other for prime position in the queue, just to get cheap furniture. It astounds me that so many people have become so brainwashed into such extreme consumerism, without even realising what they are doing and why it is so ridiculous.
We’ve got a tough job to change people’s habits and attitudes but I believe there must be a way if we work together – let’s keep fighting and spreading the word around the globe!
December 5th, 2008 at 9:01 am
unfortunately, most of people act like consuming machines. instead of enjoying holiday fun with friends and family, they prefer to buy stuff:(
December 7th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I can never get enough of watching “The Story of Stuff”. I am from Nepal and I have been trying to spread this website to as many Nepalese as I can. Its unfortunate to have such tragedy occured. I am typing this from a laptop which was thrown away for being too old or outdated. But I took it and I have been using it and it works perfectly for me. I have decided to wear more thick clothes and use jackets during winter than to use heater. I am angry that my statistics class teacher wants each and every student to buy a scientific calculator and encourages us all to use them for the class. I wonder how the old folks used to take statistics class when they didn’t have scientific calculators?
December 8th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Hi Annie!
Very nice to hear from people making an effort to stop this train of consumption. I’m from Sweden and here we do have alot of recycling, even though I’m certain that it still could be better. One thing that has especially been growing on me, is that merchandise seam to break as soon as the warrent expires. With growing technology we should be able to make things that don’t break that fast.
I also think that, as stated in another comment here, we can still use things that has been thrown away. Computers for exemple might be useful for schools (but are trashed bcoz companies are not allowed to donate them). I’m sure there are tons of examples of this.
I also think that, in the light of the oil crisis, that we need to get cars running on something else than gasoline. Why don’t we then just make engines that could fit into our current cars, so we don’t need to buy a new car to be able to drive on better fuel. Still that might be to dream to much, and I can’t see that it would ever happen. My hope lies instead in the use of puplic transportation, which I want to be owned by the people, so the cost we will pay for it comes from taxes. I believe that it will reduce the use of cars and also reduce another aspect of car pollution, which is tiny particles thrown up in the air by the tires and bits of the tires themselves. Those particles we breath into our lungs.
And all these things are connected. Its our way of living. I do want to believe that we can change this path. I believe that it is possible.
December 8th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Thanks Annie for this info on the WalMart incident -I’ll spread it around in my community, here on Paros Island, Greece, to make a point about minimizing consumption this Christmas. I remember another story, when a family was left with no money around christmas, and decided to decorate their tree with forks & spoons tied with red ribbons!
Your video is excellent – it really influenced me, so that i’ve stopped buying new clothes, and have told my relatives and friends to give me all the ones they don’t use any more-before they give it to charity. It’s perfect! I’ve saved enough money to go on a trip.
keep up the good job.
December 10th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I live in the far north so I am relatively isolated… so you will have to forgive me…
I’ve never heard of BLACK FRIDAY until this year… people are insane!
I remember sitting at my computer reading a quick article on Reuters about a US shopping frenzy, but mostly about how a Xmas Walmart worker was killed in a stampede of 5am shoppers!
What has our society become?
I, personally, would never wait in line for hours for the hope of buying STUFF cheaper! I never have and I never will!
What are we? STUFF gladiators? WE always need our FIX? This is insane!
This gives BLACK FRIDAY a whole new meaning in my eyes…
December 15th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Here in South Africa I did not hear of this incident, only learned about it from your blog. I shall certainly pass the word on. Our South African society is also capable of these atrocities and disproportionate responses to retail!
A question: How does one get to see the video that other bloggers are mentioning. I would like to share it with all of my staff.
December 17th, 2008 at 11:36 am
We at a few years back gave Christmas gifts, that were useful….some thing you could eat, or use frequently. We avoided clothing because our children seemed to wear only what was STYLISH.
When we sat at a gift opening my wife and I were totaly shocked at the number of gifts, useless trash that would sit on shelf for years and then given up for a garage sale. That is why we have entered the era of ENDESS GARAGE SALES.
January 18th, 2009 at 9:57 am
and what do you think about gas problem in Russia?
February 1st, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I was shocked when I heard this news a month ago. I got even more shocked when I read your detailed blog post about it. (Luckily) I just CAN’T imagine 2000 people in front of a mall, waiting for some stupid sale. If it were to get some scarce good during hard times I could understand, but this? What a crazy world we live in.
We need to question ourselves who we are and what we want out of our lives. Buying that Wii for our children wouldn’t make us a good parent, isn’t it?
March 10th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Annie, it’s really a pleasure writing this post here, in your site. Sad to hear this unbeliveable story. My condolences to his family.
Here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, mostly of the people have the same comsumption pattern. We buy a lot of and the same sort of stuff, due to the simple fact that we have the same multinational corporations dictating the rules here (of course, we have a lot of poor people here in Brazil, with less money to buy at the same rate). But nothing compares to this agressive comsumption behavior (yet). That’s insane.
Annie, you’re doind a great job. Don’t give up.
March 13th, 2009 at 1:09 am
What a tragedy that a human life should become a footnote to (ironically), a THANKSGIVING shopping spree.
Thank you for all the work you are doing. I will personally do whatever I can to spread the message whenever and wherever I can.
April 10th, 2009 at 12:39 am
Annie, I read your story on the SF Chronicle.
You have inspired me to re-examine my lifestyle and pay more attention to my purchases and how they would impact the world.
I really enjoyed reading your blog.
Keep up the wonderful work!
September 4th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Fairly decent laptops are becomming so cheap now i like to replace them every few years and just buy something in the mid range to budget area.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Truly a crock of propaganda shit… Can you spell extremists non-sense
November 25th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
[...] Last year’s Black Friday hit a new low. [...]