From Consumerism to Connection

Thanksgiving begins a season associated with abundance, generosity, and connection. This is difficult to reconcile, knowing that the holiday was created to paper over the genocide of Indigenous Peoples. 

Within our culture of constant work, these few days “off” feel precious. We seek out our loved ones, sometimes traveling many miles. We participate in the tradition of feasting. If we are not required to work so others can shop, we may take time to rest.

Amidst all this, we are highly manipulated into spending.

At this time of year, when we long deeply to connect, corporations reroute our attention toward a frenzy of Black Friday deals and Christmas shopping. They need us to turn away from each other and return to what they are selling. The fourth-quarter retail holiday season is their time to harvest our savings, our debt, and our attention.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Long before we were made into consumers, we were communities. We survived by sharing. We understood the necessity of generosity, of tending to each other and the earth. We held each other through deep grief and sorrow as well as profound joy and celebration. 

We can return to that kind of wholeness.

This strike is not about depriving ourselves of anything we truly need. It’s about replacing our addiction to consumer goods with deeper connections and community care. It’s about using our resources to build a world that reflects our truest values. 

Un-becoming consumers takes time, and every shift matters. This year, reclaim yourself from corporations and reimagine holiday traditions that are true to your values with the Consumer Strike. Invite your loved ones to join. Imagine holiday traditions that make room for grief AND desire for a better world. Together we can work to end genocide and make room at room at the table for everyone.