Black Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

There is always a lot of talk about “Black Friday” at this time of year. I have to admit, I avoid it like the plague. Though in truth, I am not sure I have ever been close enough to the plague to actively avoid it.

On this day the big box stores gear up to try and suck the very marrow from the all mighty dollar. Each year it starts earlier, even to the point of bleeding into Thanksgiving, what people are now calling “Grey Friday”.  Now, all of this has even snow balled further into protests against Wal-Mart for opening on Thanksgiving, and the plight of the under paid workers. As we speak (Or write. The voices in my head are never really sure.) there are protests going on against the Box Store Juggernaut.

You see, it seems that Wal-Mart is paying slave wages in the United States! That’s right, folks! According to people (Who I equate to “Those people” or “They say” types.) Wal-Mart employees are under paid, forced to work on holidays, and are only served lumpy (Non- Gluten free) gruel on their lunch break!

Don’t get me wrong. I very rarely shop at Wal-Mart. Mostly because the reason their stuff is so cheap is because… well, it IS cheap. T-shirts fall apart in a matter of hours it seams. (See what I I did there?)

I did a little research. It took me a few minutes, but hey you are worth it. Well, the two that actually read this are. On average, a cashier starts out at $8.48. Not great. A little more than I am making currently as far as an hourly wage. The minimum wage is now at $7.25 an hour. Not bad. Not fantastic, but better than say… slave wages. Well, how about other big box stores? Surely they MUST pay out better. Target stores on average is $8.11. But I do believe the gruel is gluten free. Kmart? $7.68. Sears? $7.70. Now, I have no idea on the benefit packages. I do know Sears are amazing to those employees are in the service.

Also, as far as I can tell, most if not all people volunteered to work the holiday. For holiday pay.

Am I defending Wal-Mart? No. Do I think Wal-Mart has a right to exist. Sure. It’s called capitalism. Am I going to do whatever I can to close their doors? Absolutely not. If I don’t like them, their policies, etc. I just won’t shop there.

I also know there has been a LOT of publicity about Wal-Mart using sweat shops. That does suck! It is a travesty. As a business, though, Wal-Mart is not employing them specifically. They are buy from the cheapest source, and those who are selling are running the sweat shops. Don’t blame Wal-Mart for the sweat shops. We should blame ourselves for demanding $5.00 shirts.

If you find a diamond somewhere for a $100, I can safely say that 90% of the populace are not going to ask a lot of questions. We will just snatch it up.

Not to mention, I am sure toilet paper is not being made by a twelve year old in Malaysia. Can I be safe buying TP without being evil? Please?

Again, I am not defending these places. I am just saying that sometimes when the money isn’t there, you need to make sacrifices. Sometimes you cannot worry about things that may not affect you on a personal level. Sometimes you have to worry about going to bed hungry.

If you need to… find another job. Don’t complain about what your wage is. You signed up for it, nobody forced you to take the wage. I am betting that when you got the job, you were damn glad to get it. If you don’t work there at all… shut up! Don’t shop there.