Canada is a country often viewed by many people with a bit of bewilderment and skepticism. Unlike their neighbors to the south, Canada has had a major socialist movement, and their government reflects that. They have had universal health care since 1984, made same sex marriage legal ten years before America, and a stereotype of quiet kindness has settled over the nation. It should come as no surprise then, that in 1992, the Canadian Government organized something called “Buy Nothing Day”, where citizens agree not to purchase anything for one day to help show the ethical and environmental consequences of excessive consumerism. This holiday is celebrated the day after Thanksgiving, replacing the consumer-focused holiday Black Friday. Although the ideas behind a Buy Nothing Day have good intentions, due to the current lifestyle of the American public, the execution of this plan may not be as effective as …show more content…
However, the idea behind this holiday is very important to address. If done correctly, Buy Nothing Day could work perfectly in conveying its message. People have a heavy reliance on consumerism, so much so that in some cases, it has begun to mirror an addiction. People need the “newest iPhone” or the “newest car” with the “most advanced sound system yet”. This can become a dangerous mentality to live with, leaving a person more attached to their material possessions than their loved ones. By taking a 24 hour break from shopping, it might help people realize that their things aren’t the most important part of their life. This is the exact message that BUy Nothing Day is trying to convey. But that’s all it is; a message. Buy Nothing Day isn’t a law, it can’t be enforced that people participate. So although it’s a wonderful message, there’s other ways to spread it that may be more effective than a Buy Nothing