Ralph Waldon's Poem 'Black Friday'

“Puh-Leece” reminds me of what happened to us on the afternoon of June 30, 2011. My little girl and I came home and found our entry door was wide open, kitchen glass door was shattered into pieces, our walls were full of gang signs, and our belongings were half gone. The worst part of it was my 2 little Chihuahuas were injured, and my daughter’s 3 tetra fish ended up in the microwave. We were both crying and terrified so I called the police department for immediate help. The author stated in his poem, “Official police protection? Sorry, no can do” (28). The officer told me that no one can assist me because the other officers were responding to more important calls. The officer also said it was not a big deal because it was not a life-and-death situation; it was just a stolen property. She advised me to better clean up my house and call my home insurance instead. I was devastated knowing that I could not get any help from them. The officer made me feel to not depend on police anymore, and I have to make my own way to protect my place.

Waldon mentioned, “Bargain loving, people shoving” (144). That is absolutely true! A couple of years ago, I went to Black Friday shopping with my sister. I saw a lot of parents brought their little toddlers with them standing outside the BestBuy store. It was 2 in the morning, and the temperature was about 40°F. By the time the doors opened, everyone started pushing each other. They spent more time running around and waiting in line in the store than actually enjoying the holiday with their family at home. I feel like the real spirit of Thanksgiving slowly disappears, especially in the younger generation who are truly obsessed with electronic