As part of an international effort to protest consumerism, social activists from around the world and within the campus community are joining together on Nov. 23 and 24 in an event called Buy Nothing Day.
As a part of this initiative, organizers are encouraging individuals to stay home and reflect on their purchasing habits.
Kat Hale, a senior in art and design, said Buy Nothing Day is an opportunity for people to examine the role consumerism plays in their lives and reflect on its global implications.
“Commercialism runs our lives,” Hale said. “We need to be more conscious of the fact that when we buy something, it contributes to trash and the contamination of the environment.”
Hale said the initiative is important, and she is encouraging all her friends and family to participate.
“I’m encouraging my parents to participate as well,” Hale said. “During the holiday season people are very conscious of material purchases.”
Roman Kotliar, a junior in mechanical engineering, said he understands the reasoning behind this effort, but doesn’t think it will have much of a global impact.
“As long as there are sales, people are going to buy merchandise,” Kotliar said. “I don’t see any problem with going out shopping on Black Friday.”
Hale said the rising price of gas has probably been a major contributing factor to the popularity of this cause, and the advances in communication technology have also helped spread the word.
“The energy crisis right now is driving up the price of a lot of consumer goods, so that’s a big motivator,” Hale said. “In our current political and economic climate, young people are more conscious of the things going on around them.”
She said the message behind the day is what is most important, not on what specific day it is held.
“Having it on the day after Thanksgiving, on the biggest shopping day of the year, makes for a strong message,” Hale said. “Even if it wasn’t on this day, it is important that people become aware of the things that are going on around them.”
Kotliar said by not buying anything on these days, people aren’t really supporting a positive or effective cause.
“Consumers going out and purchasing products is what makes our economy work,” Kotliar said. “If no one goes out and buys gas on Black Friday, it isn’t going to make the price of gas go down.”
Daniel Wrenn, a junior in plant biology, said he will support the Buy Nothing Day effort, because there are much better ways individuals can spend their time other than going out shopping.
“All it does is to give the big businesses more and more money,” Wrenn said. “Instead of going out to buy video games, people should be reading or studying.”
He said during the holiday season, individuals need to focus less on consumerism and should instead turn to those they care about.
“We are already a world that is too materialistic,” Wrenn said. “We should be focused more on the holidays themselves — focused on getting together with family, not receiving gifts.”
Hale expressed similar sentiments, commenting that rather than going out shopping on Black Friday, she will be staying home with her loved ones.
“I am going to spend time with my family and eat turkey sandwiches,” Hale said.