As the holiday season approaches, so too does the infamous shopping day known as Black Friday. Every year, millions of shoppers flock to stores in search of the best deals and discounts on everything from electronics to clothing. But why is it called Black Friday? And how can teachers educate their students about the origins of this consumer holiday?
First, it’s important to dispel a common myth about the origins of Black Friday. Some people believe that it earned its name from the idea that retailers’ profits would go from “in the red” to “in the black” for the year after the busy shopping day. While this idea may seem plausible, it is actually not the true reason for the name.
The term “Black Friday” has been used for decades to refer to the day after Thanksgiving, when many workers would call in sick in order to have a four-day weekend. This nickname was originally used by police officers in Philadelphia in the 1960s to describe the chaos and congestion that resulted from the influx of shoppers and tourists into the city on that day. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the term became more widely associated with shopping and consumerism.
So how can teachers incorporate this history into their lessons? One effective way is to use primary sources, such as news articles and photographs, to illustrate the origins of Black Friday. Students can examine these sources and analyze how the perception of the holiday has changed over time.
Another approach is to explore the impact of Black Friday on consumer culture and society as a whole. Teachers can ask their students to reflect on the values and priorities that underpin this holiday, such as the pursuit of material goods and the pressure to conform to societal norms. By encouraging critical thinking about these issues, teachers can help students develop a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of contemporary society.
Ultimately, teaching about Black Friday can be an opportunity to engage students in discussions about consumerism, cultural values, and historical trends. By exploring the origins and meanings of this holiday, students can learn to think critically about the world around them and develop a more nuanced understanding of how society operates.
