What's Going On: Another holiday’s traditions a casualty to consumerism

It’s become the forgotten holiday.

Despite the most sacred of origins, we no longer reserve the day for reflection and time with family, choosing instead to focus on a day off work (for some) and silly secular rituals. 

This holiday used to stand for something significant. It used to mean something, especially to Christians. 

But not anymore. Families don’t get together, and as we become consumed with consumerism, more and more people have to work frivolous, unnecessary jobs, like selling hot dogs at the local stadium or toasters at the local retail outlet. 

Yep, it’s just too bad nobody cares about … Easter. 

I think the problem is nobody ever hired a public relations/media agency to promote Easter in the same vein as Thanksgiving. 

Now there’s a sacred holiday that apparently, is beyond reproach. 

If a local retailer dares to open its doors on that holiday, well, look out for the sanctimonious Facebook posts and threatened boycotts. 

Americans are fine with forcing non-essential professions such as those at the local movie theater, grocery store, and professional sports teams to have to work on Thanksgiving, but you cross the line when the K-Mart cashier has to clock in. 

Of course, no one bats an eye when that same cashier has to forgo the Easter ham in addition to the Thanksgiving turkey. 

Beyond the casual acceptance of letting the guy selling movie tickets work while raging against someone selling blenders, the hypocrisy of the anti-Thanksgiving shopping movement is most prevalent economically. 

Despite indications of recovery, America has been mired in an economic slump for years. One way to recover from that is through increased spending, which is what Thanksgiving sales are designed to do. 

And really, buying things is what Americans are best at doing. Well next, to eating and watching sports, strangely inherent as well to Thanksgiving. 

So in actuality, what we should be doing instead of boycotting sales and criticizing retailers is redirecting that energy into thanking and showing some appreciation to the people who are working on the holiday. In an economic sense, they are patriots. 

In reality, thanking them might actually help relieve some of the guilt that I’m certain is fueling the anti-Thanksgiving shopping movement. 

With that said, one of the greatest things about capitalism is as consumers, we can make changes by voting with our wallets. If enough Americans are offended by the thought of select businesses being open on Thanksgiving, they won’t shop there. And if they don’t shop there, the stores won’t be open next year. 

But people will shop on Thanksgiving just like they do on Easter, and Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Some will argue it’s a shame that Thanksgiving is no longer held in the same reverence as Christmas and that it’s just “another” holiday. 

I would argue instead of protecting just Thanksgiving, that same sentiment should be extended to other holidays, especially Easter. Anything less would be hypocritical. 

Fear not though, Thanksgiving won’t become extinct. No matter how many televisions, DVDs and slippers are sold, the holiday will always be a special day in our culture. 

At least, as special as Easter is. 

Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express and Glenwood Opinion-Tribune. He can be contacted at publisher@redoakexpress.com.