BLACKOUT BLACK FRIDAY
I went shopped on Black Friday last year for the first time and it was a very positive experience. I got great deals while hanging out with family, including a sister who could not work on Thanksgiving night because too many of her coworkers volunteered for the overtime.
Since July I have had specific items that I have waited to buy on Black Friday because I knew the deals would be worth the wait.
It turns out that I won’t be shopping tomorrow.
Josh asked why. After all we’re usually pragmatic about boycotts, and this one is really insanely broad.
I told him that the protests are the only reason there’s any hope of people paying attention enough to bring justice (see the ABA’s comments). If this boycott worked, it would bring a lot more attention. Of course it was only announced a few days ago, so it can’t possibly get enough attention, but that’s all the more reason that I have to join in since not everyone knows.
It feels very much like a typical religious penance. I am denying myself in a way that doesn’t strictly make sense, but at the very least serves to remind myself that I believe in something more. It may not change anything other than me, but I am obligated to do what I can to change the world starting with myself.
http://www.blackoutforhumanrights.com/take-action.html
