Local group eschews commercialism

Those in Orange County looking to avoid the commercial storm Black Friday found a different option at Chapel Hill's Internationalist Books & Community Center.

From noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Internationalist Books, a nonprofit organization located at 405 W. Franklin St., recognized "Buy Nothing Day."

Buy Nothing Day began 12 years ago in Vancouver, Canada, and has gradually spread across the globe.

Participants in the movement try not to engage in any consumerism on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, because it is considered to be the busiest shopping day of the year.

Internationalist has recognized the movement for several years, said Kelly Wooten, board chairwoman for the center.

"We continue to do it because people have such a good time," she said.

The celebration at Internationalist included a poetry hour and a crafts session, in which attendees could make gift cards and gift bags.

Carrburritos, located at 711 W. Rosemary St., donated food for the occasion.

Ruby Sinreich, a participant, said the event helped to make connections between people and to build community.

"It's really focused on being creative and sharing," she said.

Participants mingled while decorating bags with potato stamps, paint and stickers.

Reasons for participating varied among those in attendance, but most agreed that it was appropriate to fight excessive consumerism.

Amanda Earley said she has attended Buy Nothing Day events in previous years and tries not to do any shopping on Black Friday.

"I just choose to do my shopping differently," she said.

Nick Shanglei, another participant, said that Friday marked the first time he had attended a Buy Nothing Day event but that he has never enjoyed shopping in the first place.

"It's not the first time I've disapproved of the consumer culture," he said.

Ken Rumble, a volunteer who organized the poetry readings, said he believes Black Friday is an inappropriate capitalization on Thanksgiving.

Participant Rachel Whetten also said she thinks of modern American culture as being too consumer-driven.

She said she that tries not to do any shopping on the day after Thanksgiving but that if she does need to buy something, she buys from local merchants.

Many participants cited the benefits of being involved in activities unrelated to shopping on the day after Thanksgiving.

"I think it's really positive to get involved in something other than a general shopping day," said participant Nina Collins.

Internationalist volunteer Rebekah Meek said she liked to have an alternative to sitting in crowded stores on Black Friday.

"I just think it's nice to have an alternative to the traditional consumerism," she said. "I think it makes a good statement."

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.