Cyber Monday: The Aftermath of Black (and Blue) Friday Fights

So, after hearing about the woman who pepper sprayed a mob of Black Friday Shoppers, I decided to look at what I might find on Youtube.  Look what happens as soon as you try to type "Black Friday" into the Search Bar:

While extremely funny, this is actually quite frightening.  There were quite a few interesting newsbites on Youtube and Fark discussing all the mayhem.

The best video I found was this one:

ABC News actually had a very interesting Video/News Article on what was happening this Holiday Shopping weekend, and you can check it out HERE.

What's terrible is that the violence and pathetic behavior of hyped up shoppers is being played down by retailers, and the news media fails to acknowledge why this is occurring.  It's happening because most Americans are still suffering from a broke economy, and we're extremely eager to save some money, but still manage to get our loved ones all the great things we've been overspending on for the past 5-10 years.


*Update:  I have been able to find two news sources that contributed a weak economy and increased consumerism mentality to the Black Friday violence, the Washington Post (relatively "Neutral" news media), and Fox News (Conservative).  Click on the links for both to read their articles.  FYI, the one for Fox News does have a possible inaccuracy in it about the Pepper Spray Woman, but then again, every hour we are getting a different story about the event as more information comes about.

I don't go to big stores too much anymore.  I actually felt very uneasy and anxious on the 4th of July at the most common "Big Box" store, Walmart, during the 4th of July.  And stories like this only add to my anxiety:

Arizona Police use Excessive Force on Grandfather in Black Friday Melee.

On Black Friday, I went to two Thrift Shops, the grocery store, and shopped online.  I found almost all of the supplies I needed to craft 3 presents at one Thrift Shop, and I found an awesome Christmas present at another Thrift Shop I had never been to.  I've got a very, very small budget this year for my loved ones, and the last thing I need is Pepper Spray Vision or a Nervous breakdown trying to be an Average American Consumer.

By the time you read this, Cyber Monday will be in full swing, and hopefully, you'll take the opportunity to shop small, shop local, and shop Vintage.  I support all of these movements, why?  Because not only am I local, Small, and a lover of Handmade and Vintage, but it's the truly unique items and Special Moments that your family and friends will cherish.

In Celebration of Cyber Monday, and in awareness of the crazy and utterly meaningless nonsense that happened this weekend, I'm having a small sale on my Etsy Shop.

Use the Promo Code: "MONDAYLEFTOVERS" for a 25% off Deal in the LeftOvers4Dinner Etsy shop.  Nobody's gonna Pepper Spray you over anything on Etsy, and I'd much rather promote the idea of everyone going online or to smaller stores to make purchases this year.  Even if it isn't in my shop, you don't have to worry about someone giving you a concussion while you click away on Etsy or your favorite small scale online retailer.

So, Stop the Violence, and eat a cupcake!

Thanks for reading everyone!

Also shared on: