Long lines and pushy people have become another staple of the American holiday season, especially on Black Friday. This phenomenon embraces secularism and replaces family traditions that were the hallmark of the Thanksgiving holiday season for decades. The commercialization of Christmas doesn’t help either: the day after Thanksgiving, millions of shoppers flock to retail stores to acquire discounted items for themselves and Christmas gifts for family and friends. This speaks to the current morals of the American public. We celebrate a day of thankfulness and family followed by fights and material greed.

“The move away from the old time holiday season, one full of family and friends, is very upsetting,” said sophomore Andrew Johnson. “The holidays should be a time of care for others and thankfulness for what you have. The new trends are sad indicators of the state of popular culture today.” But this year, things may be different. Many retailers are turning away from the Black Friday mayhem in favor of a quieter day for both its customers and employees. This shift is due to labor groups’ protesting workers who are forced to come in and endure long, grueling shifts with little chance for family and holiday rituals. Retailers are finding that opening on Thanksgiving and early on Black Friday does not necessarily boost holiday sales but rather comes at the expense of those forced to work.

As an increasing number of stores close their doors on Thanksgiving, there is hope for a moral turnaround in the retail world. As new issues and conflicts become apparent daily, restful time with family and friends is more treasured than ever.