"Black Friday" Dispatch

Reporting from the field today. 

I decided that I'd join the rest of America in search of a good bargain on "Black Friday," you know the day after Thanksgiving where pre-dawn sales have been known to draw crowds sometimes resulting in knock down drag em' out fights.

As I drove down Crenshaw Boulevard and crossed King Street hordes of people were camped out in 50 degree weather in front of Wal-mart at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

I started saying a little prayer that I would find parking and not be too far behind in the line at the store I was headed too.  There was no way for me to gauge what the line was going to look like considering the hundreds camped out in front of Wal-mart.  After all, I headed out kind of late.  Most people were in line before dusk.

But luck was on my side, I was the first one in line this morning at Eso Won Bookstore!  Eso Won is a popular Black owned bookstore in Leimert Park.  I figure if I am going to buy gifts, I am going to give the gift that keeps on giving, a book.  Not a video game, not a HD television, not an iPod, not a pair of Nike's.  A book.

Meanwhile, I think I heard a radio report that Wal-mart and Best Buy are expected to have record sales today...

Comments

[Alex Blaze]

What a great way to make this point, Jasmyne.

Stop the consumerism! Love people, not things!

[Asantewa]

Thank you for this very important food for thought (and the soul). It is a fabulous idea. I will be in line at the bookstore buying books for Kwanza gifts (I don't celebrate Xmas).

[curt]

The Retailer's Prayer

Our Retailer, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Sales;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
at the mall as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily coupons,
and forgive us our frugality,
as we forgive those hardcore shoppers who get there
before us; and lead us not into debt on Black Friday,
but deliver us our online purchases before the 15th
of December. Amen.