(First and foremost. I am so sorry for being away for so long. Too much going on in my life and not enough hours in the day. I've been thinking all day today and had to bring these thoughts out in some way shape and form,)

Should we just give up the idea that Thanksgiving is a real holiday for Americans. Who really has that "Norman Rockwell" holiday? How many people in this country dread this holiday more than any other holiday in the American calander? Let's face it. People drive maybe hours or days or rush to caught fights to meet at someones house where they meet ONLY to eat a meal together and perhaps watch a parade or Football match on TV and what ends up happening more times than not--Arguing, fighting, and night full of indegestion or worse from too much food and too much stress. Not to mention that this day has become nothing more than the kick off day for the "Shopping Season". But this isn't truly about the Family Drama that Thanksgiving seems to bring but rather the actual event that kick off the "Shopping Season"--aka BLACK FRIDAY.

Look at the headlines during this past week and a half. Stores pushing that start of the mad Black Friday rampage and dangerous event of rushing to get the more important events of Christmas holiday and store profits ramped up even faster than the year before. Stores are starting Black Friday Sales on Thanksgiving day and those stores that aren't opening their doors until the more "reasonable hour" of 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. are still having workers going on Thanksgiving to prepare for the "BIGGEST SALE" of the year.

But look at it more closely. Isn't this holiday just emphasising those of prilviage to those who are not? I will state right now. I am one of the lower paid americans. I make a little more than min wage BUT not much more. I work hard for my money and I'm not saying that Teachers and Lawyers and doctors and bank tellers do not work hard for their money BUT I know cashiers and stockers who work at various stores who will not have much of a thanksgiving because they must work and THEY themselves will not be able to take part in shopping for those same sales they much supply and ring up. One of my neighbors mother will be at the store she works at and will not see her family on Thursday.

Not to mention the fact that THE "HOTTEST" TOYS and the MUST HAVE ITEMS are priced much lower than any time during the "shopping season" before Christmas. Why shouldn't we see these type of sales or prices throughout the season leading up to christmas? Why is it that we see those who are lucky enough not to work on Thanksgiving or Black Friday treated like non-humans during this time of the year?

I know I won't change this whole event but perhaps if you are lucky enough to be one of those who can partake of this event of Black Friday try and remember those who had to work to make it a shopping event for you and JUST MAYBE if people start realizing that their fellow Americans who are working and a lot of these people aren't volunteering or getting time and a half like they once did but must look at the "holiday" as just another working day maybe the shoppers can make the retailers see is an event America doesn't need as much as a real living wage and a little more respect when it comes to benefits and kindess on how they are forced to work like sub-humans.