Lexikay Stokes, Campus Carrier Opinions Editor

Black Friday seems to have strayed from its roots as a night/early morning of hysteric shoppers driven by insane prices. Now, Black Friday seems to be more of a spectacle than anything.

I think as a nation we have decided to no longer be manipulated by department stores, having to cut our turkey early and down five cups of coffee just to make it in time to shop. No, over the years we have shown stores that what we want, is a more laid back, casual shopping experience that is just as discounted, but more convenient for us as the shoppers.

Now, store fronts open earlier and earlier every year, sales are more dramatic, and you have more time to shop. You can do the shopping from the comfort of your own home. There’s no need to wait in a line starting at 6:00 p.m. the night before, because the store will be open all day and you can leisurely walk in and shop around at your own convenience, or just click “submit order,” while vegging on your couch.

My friends from high school and I started a great tradition when we first could drive. We would meet up around midnight, just as Black Friday was starting, and carpool to people-watch at the mall when doors opened. We would stay for hours, taking in the beautiful mess that was Black Friday shopping. However, due to this new “customer-centric” Black Friday model we have going on now, our people-watching has been seriously hindered.

I can’t tell you the last time I saw a woman trampled in order to get to the half-priced dishware. And man, do I miss watching grey-haired men light up with joy as they walk into Bass Pro shops, eager for the once a year sale on fishing poles.

I feel like an art has been lost. Our lazy consumerism has gone too far, and as someone who greatly enjoyed the joy and invigoration Black Friday gave others, I think we should go back.

Let’s go back to the good old days, when Black Friday truly was a chaotic four hours fueled by once-a-year sales and pent-up aggression left over from prolonged family time. Those were simpler, better, more entertaining times.