Pro: Andrew Maestas

Black Friday is a theme park in a casino for all to place bets. Family and friends wait hours in a line to get on a roller coaster ride that lasts no more than a few minutes, giving excitement, a rush, the feeling of accomplishment.

That is Black Friday, but in a casino where shoppers must decide where to shop first. The choices are plentiful from electronics at Best Buy, jewelry, fragrances and name brand clothes at Macy’s or Toys “R” Us for the kid in everyone.

Black Friday offers the adventure to find the perfect gifts like the best Apple Macbook for the college daughter, shoes for the wife, the tie to compliment the dress shirt for the husband who needs that update in style and that perfect black suede Nike sweater for the little soccer player at home.

Consequently, businesses prepare for the holiday shopping experience by providing the opportunity to hire talent for the season. For many of the new hires this is their first time in the workforce and in retail. There is nothing like coming home with a paycheck with holiday pay.

There is an excitement and privilege knowing that I get to help patrons find the perfect gift and a treat for themselves. Personally, working in retail the details matter to patrons and providing the best experience to them possible is rewarding in itself.

I remember helping a patron looking for the right leather jacket and we took the time trying a handful on. Finally, we were able to narrow it right down to the Calvin Klein faux leather jacket that was the right fit and look for him. He left the store happy and satisfied with a jacket bought at a great price.

Despite all the horror stories, Black Friday comes back every year and shoppers plan ahead to rush and get the best deals, making memories to tell at home and years to come.

Shoppers are the reason for the season. They help give the new hires a job and work experience. They help the local economy by driving up sales, they get to see what’s new and familiar in the stores, the malls and their community altogether.

Shoppers get to burn off the calories from Thanksgiving food, spend time with family and friends visiting for the holidays, and they all get to come home to put the beautifully carefully wrapped ribbon bow tied gifts under the bejeweled lit Christmas tree.

Black Friday is a bet for fun, gifts for family and friends, and a crazy, yet rewarding experience for all. There is a story behind every gift.

If someone you know is shopping on Black Friday, they may be thinking of you, so you’ll have a gift waiting for you on Christmas day.

If you haven’t gone shopping on this controversial day, then place a bet, take a chance and go have fun. Happy Thanksgiving and happy Black Friday shopping!

Con: Andrew Flores

When I think of Black Friday, the words that circulate in my head are long lines, reckless customers, parking nightmares, greed, injuries, and most of all, sales.   

For most people the discounted price on an item, whether big or small, is enough to endure these grueling circumstances, while others have transformed this day into a family tradition.

I have made the conscious decision to not participate in an American tradition riddled with corporate greed. A day that can bring the worst out of Americans and that feeds the beast of capitalism. I encourage you to do same.

As profits increase on Black Friday, stores across the nation try to become more accessible to the consumer. One controversial trend that occurs every year is department stores that remain open during Thanksgiving day for Black Friday sales.

A number of stores have opted out of this trend, mainly due to the backlash from shoppers.  Other retailers have decided that profits are more important than the values and traditions held by some Americans on Thanksgiving day. Though who can blame them when customers flock to sales on a large scale.

Having Black Friday sales during Thanksgiving encroaches on a holiday that allows one to reflect on their blessings and to give thanks for what they have. A holiday where people can spend an entire day enjoying the company of their family and friends.

From cooking food, sharing meals and catching up to watching movies, playing sports and competing in board games, there are endless activities to craft a memory with those you love. It is better to show your love and affection to those you hold close by spending time with them rather than buying them a frivolous gift.

For those of you who do not celebrate Thanksgiving or rather spend time with your family during a different holiday, think about all of the people working in retail who will have to sacrifice this day and the day after to quench your materialistic desires.

Sure, you can argue that people would rather work to get money, or that these people knew what they were signing up for when they took the job but that does not make it right.

Many Americans work minimum-wage retail jobs to support their family and to make ends meet, while others are college students who work to support themselves while attending school.

Working during Black Friday is often at times mandatory and missing work for any circumstance that is not life threatening, will most likely be grounds for termination.

Should workers not be allowed the courtesy of having Thanksgiving and the day after off like most Americans?

Another reason that Black Friday should be dismantled is because it puts customers and workers in potential danger. Numerous news organizations have covered the madness of Black Friday, showcasing the injuries and sometimes death that occurs from incidents such as human stampedes.

With the rise in online sales and the introduction of Cyber Mondays shoppers can take advantage of sales without ever having to enter a store. Another solution the Black Friday absurdity would be for stores to offer sales throughout the year, while encouraging shoppers to do their shopping earlier rather than last minute.

Of course, Black Friday will only be brought to its demise when people learn to cherish each other rather than the trivialities of material items.