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U of M professor launches movement to counter excess and frantic consumerism of Black Friday- University's William Doherty and local group have plan to curb current holiday culture -
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 11/25/2008 ) -- In the midst of what has become the season for Americans to overspend, over schedule and dwell in excess, a group of Minnesotans is pushing back against the Black Friday tradition. This group, led by University of Minnesota family social science professor William Doherty, aims to challenge the hyper over-consumption and frantic pace of life as the nation and world revs up for the holiday season. "We are all bombarded with messages to buy more and bigger and we run ourselves ragged during the holidays. This Black Friday group is a laboratory for seeking more balance in all of our lives -- something that our society sorely needs in the midst of today's challenges," said Doherty, whose research and public engagement efforts focus on making families stronger and making society's culture more family-friendly. To download or watch a video interview with Doherty, visit: http://www1.umn.edu/urelate/newsservice/holiday.html The group wants others to join them in reclaiming the holiday season as a time to reflect and become more grounded. They will launch their efforts to take back the holiday season on what many consider the biggest over consumption day of the year: Black Friday. "Black Friday is the 'holy day' of our consuming culture, so it is fitting for this group to launch efforts to reclaim the season that day," Doherty said. The Black Friday group will hold its first event "Black Friday at Church: Feeding the Spirit on the Feast Day of Consumption" at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28 at Unity Church-Unitarian, 732 Holly Ave., St. Paul. The group's efforts are a citizen action project that has grown out of "The Family and Democracy Project" created by Doherty as part of his public engagement efforts as a U of M professor. Doherty's work takes him to where families are and that is in parent/school groups, health clinics and faith communities. While the launch event is held at a church, the mission of the group is much larger. "This is a vanguard to reclaim the season -- not as a denominational thing, but as an effort to address the cultural challenges we face," said Doherty. "And this year's economic slow down offers an ideal time to step back and rethink our priorities." In his work, Doherty seeks to help create better families and make culture more friendly to families. Previously, he has applied his "Families and Democracy" model to cultural practices like out of control birthday parties for children. For more information on the Black Friday event, visit: http://www.unityunitarian.org/BlackFriday.htm ---------- |
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