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Every year we celebrate our blessings with gluttony. More than anything I am grateful for the people I surround myself with. You are all amazing……. I won’t attack the festive feast because that would just make me a hypocritical beast. Symbolically, the eats represent my feats from the past year. I ate moderately =)
Instead, I’m here to dig into 13lack 4riday shopping…
I have not once marched with the madness. When I had both a car and care for the shopping season it meant no difference. I was working the gulag that is Menards. I was 18 years old at the time, working insane amount of hours; close to forty during the 13lack 4riday season.
There were ‘door-busters’ at Menards which could include anything from television sets, dog treats, paint, children’s toys and even holiday candy. Doors open at 6AM every 13lack 4riday, and they stay open till 10pm. Working 13lack 4riday is mandatory for Menards Team Members. No one is exempt from working on this hellish nightmare.
I’m out the retail game. I was at Menards for three years and two 13lack 4ridays. From the time I was 18 to 20 I didn’t get a chance to participate in the outrageous assault of employees and goods. Having this experience, I have still not gone through with shopping on 13lack 4riday.
An important woman in my life -aka grandmother aka matriarchal goddess of fortitude and perseverance- is one of those poor employees. She is a Menards “Team Member” getting up at 4am this 13lack 4riday to make sure her “Guests” get whatever items they need.
I am not going to cite my copy of the Communist Manifesto, but I will tell you that my grandmother has been working since she was 13. Working long hours at that labor camp is taking its toll on her. I can’t even spend as much time as I want with her because she has to wake up so damn early!
With all that said I want to ask all of you to stop giving in to our corporate overlords and quit shopping for stupid ISH you don’t even need. Spend 13lack 4riday playing a board game, or maybe even re-capping Game of Thrones.
Anyways; I made a mix for 13lack 4riday. Whether you’re working, shopping, or having a fun outside of the monetary system this mix is meant to motivate you to keep on the good fight.
Joaquin Vasquez-Duran
Production Director @ UICRadio
Wardens Midwest #TurnUpOrTurnAround
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