I’m still moved by a conversation I had with a friend a couple years ago that challenged my support for Buy Nothing Day. This friend, who is African-American, said some interesting stuff [paraphrasing]:
“Buy Nothing Day is basically a thing of and for white folks and comfy middle class and rich folks who have had the privilege of consumption their whole life. And now, they can afford to start things like Buy Nothing Day. True, it speaks to the issue of overconsumption, but how much of it is to appease their guilty consciences? I’m also very skeptical and cynical of Christians who’ve jumped on this bandwagon — the “enlightened evangelicals” who also come from a place of privilege. Stuff like this sickens me because it has completely no idea about the plight of the poor, low-income folks, and some minorities that are just trying to survive.”
Hmm… I get the point, I really do. But as someone who works with retails stores, I see the other side of it. So many of our stores have had a desperately tough year, and have been looking forward to today (and the next month) as the critical time to help them stay afloat. So while I appreciate the sentiment, keep in mind that there are people depending on today in a big way.
I used to volunteer at a thrift shop, and there was a wonderful woman and regular customer who told me there was a game she played if she bought something–she’d go home and immediately find something to give away.
There’s certainly no blanket statement about what ALL persons should or shouldn’t do, but it’s nice to hear the array of options. I liked hers. Today I won’t buy anything, but that’s mostly because I can’t stand crowds. And I have to work. : )
I understand, and even sympathize with the rational behind the “buy nothing day” but in an effort to destroy the idolatrous consumerism of the day we overlook the following individuals.
- The check-out clerk / stock boy who depends on the extra hours to feed/clothe and otherwise supply for their families.
- The family of 7 (about to be that I know that are benefited by the low prices to buy clothes or other necessary items…or maybe even an item that we might take for granted but for them is usually out of reach.
- The average family that sees it as good stewardship to wait and buy things when they are on sale instead of buying things whenever they think they want or need them.
So…I join you in your refusing to shop today (basically because I hate shopping anyway). But I happily allow my wife to go out (though thankfully not at 4:00am) and purchase things that we as a family need or to find gifts for others in a way that makes best use of the finances that God has given us.
There’s nothing unholy per se about shopping, even if it may be classified as consumer discretionary items, XLY. Perhaps there should be a “think about what you buy more conscientiously day” if we really want to attack the problem without opening ourselves up to attack. For example, while some items may not meet our needs, it’s a big logical fallacy to make a blanket statement, as Courtney points out: “Over-consumption is bad, therefore all shopping is bad.” While this oversimplifies the reasoning in Buy Nothing Day, it outlines the message that comes across and disregards harmful connotations such as previous readers have suggested. Buy Nothing Day is reckless, regardless of its sweet intention.
I observe many buy nothing days throughout the year and don’t need to “participate” in this one just because some legalists have presumed to think for me.
um, did none of you (presumably) white folks read Brians comment? dude was so right on in relating what his African American friend said.
thanks brian, that’s some solid stuff right there. most white folks have no idea as to just how good they’ve got it. completely disconnected from the reality of the world we live in.
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Yeah, we used to have one of those every week.
I’m still moved by a conversation I had with a friend a couple years ago that challenged my support for Buy Nothing Day. This friend, who is African-American, said some interesting stuff [paraphrasing]:
“Buy Nothing Day is basically a thing of and for white folks and comfy middle class and rich folks who have had the privilege of consumption their whole life. And now, they can afford to start things like Buy Nothing Day. True, it speaks to the issue of overconsumption, but how much of it is to appease their guilty consciences? I’m also very skeptical and cynical of Christians who’ve jumped on this bandwagon — the “enlightened evangelicals” who also come from a place of privilege. Stuff like this sickens me because it has completely no idea about the plight of the poor, low-income folks, and some minorities that are just trying to survive.”
http://blog.sojo.net/2008/11/20/black-friday-and-consumerism-white-privilege-and-buy-nothing-day/
Hmm… I get the point, I really do. But as someone who works with retails stores, I see the other side of it. So many of our stores have had a desperately tough year, and have been looking forward to today (and the next month) as the critical time to help them stay afloat. So while I appreciate the sentiment, keep in mind that there are people depending on today in a big way.
I used to volunteer at a thrift shop, and there was a wonderful woman and regular customer who told me there was a game she played if she bought something–she’d go home and immediately find something to give away.
There’s certainly no blanket statement about what ALL persons should or shouldn’t do, but it’s nice to hear the array of options. I liked hers. Today I won’t buy anything, but that’s mostly because I can’t stand crowds. And I have to work. : )
I understand, and even sympathize with the rational behind the “buy nothing day” but in an effort to destroy the idolatrous consumerism of the day we overlook the following individuals.
- The check-out clerk / stock boy who depends on the extra hours to feed/clothe and otherwise supply for their families.
that I know that are benefited by the low prices to buy clothes or other necessary items…or maybe even an item that we might take for granted but for them is usually out of reach.
- The family of 7 (about to be
- The average family that sees it as good stewardship to wait and buy things when they are on sale instead of buying things whenever they think they want or need them.
So…I join you in your refusing to shop today (basically because I hate shopping anyway). But I happily allow my wife to go out (though thankfully not at 4:00am) and purchase things that we as a family need or to find gifts for others in a way that makes best use of the finances that God has given us.
Daniel–
“allow” your wife?
wow.
lol
Poor choice of words….she got a good chuckle out of that too.
There’s nothing unholy per se about shopping, even if it may be classified as consumer discretionary items, XLY. Perhaps there should be a “think about what you buy more conscientiously day” if we really want to attack the problem without opening ourselves up to attack. For example, while some items may not meet our needs, it’s a big logical fallacy to make a blanket statement, as Courtney points out: “Over-consumption is bad, therefore all shopping is bad.” While this oversimplifies the reasoning in Buy Nothing Day, it outlines the message that comes across and disregards harmful connotations such as previous readers have suggested. Buy Nothing Day is reckless, regardless of its sweet intention.
This is actually an ancient holy practice better known as SABBATH keeping!
I observe many buy nothing days throughout the year and don’t need to “participate” in this one just because some legalists have presumed to think for me.
um, did none of you (presumably) white folks read Brians comment? dude was so right on in relating what his African American friend said.
thanks brian, that’s some solid stuff right there. most white folks have no idea as to just how good they’ve got it. completely disconnected from the reality of the world we live in.