Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Haley Scholars (Group 3) Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's "Friday Black"


[Haley Reading Groups Spring 2022] 

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's "Friday Black" is an unlikely zombie tale. The story is about a salesperson's experiences and observations at a mall when people trample over each other as they rabidly struggle in trance-like states of consciousness to purchase goods on Black Friday.

The story presents brutal violence in vivid detail of customers rushing in and fighting for products. "Friday Black" offers a kind of dark humor. On the one hand, it's almost amusing that people would be this intense about Black Friday sales. On the other hand, it's a sad, disturbing commentary that things might get this bad.

What stood out to you more -- the disturbing details of the actual story OR the idea that something along these lines could happen in real life? Briefly (one or two sentences) explain why you made the choice that you did.

57 comments:

Jasmine Johnson said...

Honestly both of these things stood out to me. It's so crazy because it's just like this in real life people literally causing harm to others just to get a few dollars off of an item I even read online before that people have died from black Friday events.

Indya Howard said...

Honestly, both things stood out to me. I've experienced many black Friday sales and it's so dangerous sometimes. There are people fighting over items or shoving people out of the line. It's so disturbing to see what people would do for a few dollars of an item. In the story, they highlighted some of the gruesome details that happen and it is almost the same as what happens in reality.

anaya jones said...

to be honest these things happen in real life all the time. several people each year harm others over and because of the good black Friday deals, so in my opinion they both stood out

Fatima Kante said...

I experienced both which caused me to never go in the event "Black Friday" it's so intense and people fighting over object that are a couple dollars off. Humanity is completely gone on Black Friday everybody running around fighting one another for simple things they wouldn't fight over in a regular day.

Ivan Johnson said...

The disturbing details in the story stood out to me the most. I say that because the same dangerous acts that were mentioned in the story happen in real life on Black Friday.

Kennedy J said...

The fact that this is something that happens in real life disturbed me the most. People really die during Black Friday which is insane to me. I don't get how people can get so violent over a sale. Reading this story and seeing the details served as a play by play of what can happen on Black Friday which was stood out to me.

Tamia Goodlow said...

I would say the details stood out to me more than the idea of the incident. This stuff happens far too often each year for me to be surprised.

Kemry H said...

I would say both things stood out to me because the things described in the the story are things I have witnessed in real life. It's exactly why I don't Black Friday shop anymore.

damya evans said...

The idea that something along these lines can happen in real life stood out to me more because people do actually go crazy and risk their lives for discounts on some items. According to google there have been 17 deaths and 125 injuries on black Friday dating back to 2006. This proves that some details in this story are not too far fetched.

Jonathan G said...

The most disturbing parts in the story struck out to me. That is because the same dangerous behaviors described in the story occur in real life on Black Friday. That is essentially why I no longer shop on Black Friday.

Jonathan G said...

The most disturbing parts in the story struck out to me. That is because the same dangerous behaviors described in the story occur in real life on Black Friday. That is essentially why I no longer shop on Black Friday.

Tanija Harris-Ritchie said...

The thing that stood out to me is the violence. Not only did it stand out it was hurtful hearing this because I was in a very scary experience during black Friday about 3 years ago. So this is very realistic and can happen in today's society and has happened as well.

Amber Dixon said...

The violence portrayed was what stood out most to me, but the fact that something of that caliber could happen in real life is beyond disturbing. I do not go Black Friday shopping because it gets pretty hectic, and some people do not know how to be respectful of space. People's humanity and self-control seems to disappear and instead have no regard for others.

Alayah D. said...

I would say the details of the disturbing parts shocked me more because I am no longer surprised by what happens in the world today.

Jenaya Gant said...

I would say the details stood out to me more than the idea of the incident. I say that because the same dangerous acts that were mentioned in the story happen in real life on Black Friday

Colette Jackson said...

The thing that stood out to me the most was how violent things became but the rest, unfortunately, didn't take me time to realize or like look back on because it happens often in the world we live in now. Black Friday shopping has always been unsafe and dangerous but even now with how disrespectful and aggressive people have become its jus outrageous and sad because so many bad things happen on a day where good could occur.

Colette Jackson said...

The thing that stood out to me the most was how violent things became but the rest, unfortunately, didn't take me time to realize or like look back on because it happens often in the world we live in now. Black Friday shopping has always been unsafe and dangerous but even now with how disrespectful and aggressive people have become its jus outrageous and sad because so many bad things happen on a day where good could occur.

-colette Jackson

Marcus G. said...

Both of these stood out to me. The fact that people get injured, and almost killed, or they do get killed is insane. I have gone Black Friday shopping a few times mostly because it is around my birthday, but I have seen a few fights break out. It is as if all human dignity and respect fly out the window during huge events like that.

TJ Hunter said...

I would say both stood out to me personally. The vivid details in the story really makes you picture this as a reality of the event while making it feel as if you're there. Also, people really get injured during this day as well so it's disturbing on both parts.


TJ-Hunter

Ehijie Ilenikhena said...

What stood out to me more was an event like that could occur in real life. I've seen and read stories of people going crazy on Black Friday. Items do get severely cheap, but they shouldn't cause mass "hysteria". People during black Friday behave as if the thing they're getting is the last item on earth for whatever their purchasing.

Ehijie .I

Stefani F said...

Both stood out to me honestly, people don't care about who they hurt nowadays so the details in these stories aren't too far off from the real world. And the fact that people will act like this over simple materialistic things is really unsettling and makes me never want to do any type of in-person Black Friday shopping.
-Stefani Farrow

Jonathan H said...

The potential allegory and parallel to the real world stood out to me more. It's always more attention grabbing when stories create outrageous hypothetical situations that are a reflection of ourselves and our potential future.

Tyler Guthrie said...

After reading a few of the stories in this book, I would say that the real-life concepts regarding our society and its history stood out to me more. Simply due to how the world normalizes sin, people have the free will to choose bad or good. However, it is only a matter of knowing what there is to follow as the law helps to hold proper principles.

Tashauri F. said...

The disturbing details of the story stood out to me the most because this happens so much in real life that it is seen as normal but reading it in a book with great detail it sounds even scarier.

Z'Kya Dixon said...

The idea that something like so has already happened is what takes my breathe away. On black Friday in previous years people have actually been hospitalized for being trampled or being in real physical fights with one another.

Tashauna F said...

I believe that something similar could happen in real life bothered me more. It's beyond crazy the measures people will take to get what they want.

Niylah Edwards said...

The details stood out the most to me because most of the things are happening in real life as we speak. people take extreme measures to get what they want and when they want it, Black Friday for example. People act horrific and do whatever it takes.

Tamya Goodlow said...

The fact this could actually happen stood out to me. The details of the story makes it more realistic, and as a person working in with thousands of customers a day, it makes it shocking as well.
-Tamya Goodlow

Unknown said...

It definitely stood out more to me that the idea of something like this took place. A lot of the times our thoughts are mostly uncensored and unfiltered. However, when we project these things outwards, these same things are usually dulled towards people and situations. So the fact that someone could think of something like this is the most interesting of all.

Erin Myers said...

Neville G.:

In the story, Friday black, the events in this fictional story do happen in real life. It might not happen this drastically in real life, but injuries somewhat like this do occur. I say this because I have been in the retail force and worked on Black Friday, and seen people push over people for a last tv on the sales floor.

Erin Myers said...

Gianni D.:

The most disturbing part to me was that this occurs in real life. It is absurd to think that people die during Black Friday. As I read this story and saw the details, it let me see what can happen on Black Friday which really stood out to me. I was struck by how much violence there is. It was not only shocking, but also hurtful because I heard about friends and family members' experiences on Black Fridays.

Erin Myers said...

Taylor G.:

What stood out from me most was the idea that something along these lines could happen in real life. The one time I experienced Black Friday shopping I was so shocked to see how riled up people got just for a sale.

Erin Myers said...

Nadia G.:

The details and the fact that these things could have happened, they both stood out. A lot of events take a crazy turn, and you never know what's going to happen next.

Erin Myers said...

La'Niya G.:

i would say the idea that this could happen in real life stood out more. when you read about something it makes you visualize even more.

Demeyah Jackson said...

We should focus on the character’s interaction with one another and how disorientated everyone is acting. The students taking drugs in school, one getting addicted. Students being called “ugly”, “dummy” and being just out right disrespectful.

-Demeyah Jackson

Demeyah Jackson said...

We should focus on the character’s interaction with one another and how disorientated everyone is acting. The students taking drugs in school, one getting addicted. Students being called “ugly”, “dummy” and being just out right disrespectful.

Alexi J. said...

Honestly what stood out to me the most was that something like this could happen in real life. Humans have a history of violence, and we've already seen people get hurt because of their desire for something. It's quite terrifying and surreal that this story could become true really any day now.

Alexi J.

Erin Myers said...

David G.:

The fact that something like this could potentially happen in real life and has happened before similarly is what i think stood out to me more. I am sure we have all seen people get trampled on black friday night.

Arielle johnson said...

I think what shocked me the most is how this isn't really talked about much until it happens. And when people do talk about black Friday deaths, no one really does anything to change or prevent these tragedies from occurring, which continues to keep the cycle going. The book did a goof job at highlighting the tragedies that do happen during black Friday, but it was really gruesome

Unknown said...

I think the fact that this happens in real life is more disturbing to me. Working in retail, i've witnessed people fighting, get trampled over little deals not even caring about others life.

-Anjeal Jones

Erin Myers said...

Arielle J.:

I think what shocked me the most is how this isn't really talked about much until it happens. And when people do talk about black Friday deaths, no one really does anything to change or prevent these tragedies from occurring, which continues to keep the cycle going. The book did a good job at highlighting the tragedies that do happen during black Friday, but it was gruesome

Erin Myers said...

Aunye Harrold said...
I think it is weird that people will risk their lives and other peoples just to get items even if they are heavily discounted. Going into a riot and causing a riot is extreme. These days it seems most sales have moved online so it's a bit better.

April 12, 2022 at 12:03 PM
(Originally posted to https://www.culturalfront.org/2022/04/haley-scholars-group-4-nana-kwame-adjei.html)

Aminah A. Haynes said...

Honestly both things stood out to me, the fact that people were going crazy during these black friday events and that thesse things happen in real life. It's just shocking at the measures people would do for a just a discount and how these events lead to death and injuries. It's very disturbing at how this is what happens and how dangerous these black friday events are.

Unknown said...

It stood out more to me that the idea of something like this could happen. A lot of the times when we think of things, these are our most uncensored and unfiltered thought and feelings. However, when we project these things outwards to other people or situations they are often dulled down.

Erin Myers said...

Natalie G.:

I honestly think both things stood out to me. I've never been involved in any black Friday shopping, but I have heard many stories where there are possibilities of it being dangerous. I've heard about fights breaking out and it's just all around dangerous.

Erin Myers said...

Tonia E.:

It stood out more to me that the idea of something like this this could happen. A lot of the times, when we think things, these are our most uncensored and unfiltered thoughts. However, when we project these things outwards to people or situations, they are often dulled down.

Erin Myers said...

Chloe H.:

The story and the possibility that this could actually happen were very disturbing to me because I have experienced Black Friday before. I think it says alot about how society is and what they are willing to do over a sale or money.

Erin Myers said...

Carmesha J.:

what would surprise me if stuff like this didn’t happen or if it was changing drastically but until people realize the whole affect that it does to everyone. and I would also say the actual details sort of stuck out more than the incident.

Scott Freeman said...

The idea that this event “Black Friday” is real, is what stood out to me. It isn’t necessarily disturbing to me because I think I’ve stopped assuming that people weren’t capable of such atrocities.

Brianna H said...

What stood out to me to the most is how violent everyone was because it can really relate back to the real world and it's very sad.

Unknown said...

The fact that this could happen in real life is what stood out to me. Sometimes people don't think clearly and are too in the moment to realize their actions, the things people would do for money is crazy.
-Memory

Erin Myers said...

Stephanie H.:
My attention was drawn to both of these things. There have been many black Friday sales in my experience, and it can be quite dangerous. Several people shooed people out of the line or fought over items. I find it disturbing what people would do for a few dollars of an item. Almost nothing about the story is different from how it happens in reality, although some of the details are completely exaggerated.

Erin Myers said...

James G.:

The thing that stood out to me the most was how violent things became but the rest, unfortunately, didn't take me time to realize or like look back on because it happens often in the world we live in now. Black Friday shopping has always been unsafe and dangerous but even now with how disrespectful and aggressive people have become its jus outrageous and sad because so many bad things happen on a day where good could occur.

Chaz Hunter said...

I would say the details stood out to me more than the idea of the incident. This stuff happens far too often each year for me to be surprised.

Zion H said...

I can say that the details stood out to me more than the incident. This stuff is really an everyday thing so its not really an surprised.

Erin Myers said...

Jameelah H.:

what stood out more to me was the gory details, I do like gory things sometimes but when it comes to black people due to our history, I'm sensitive to it but to imagine dead bodies piled up in the store and people used dead corpse as ways to maneuver in the store was absolutely crazy and shocking to me. it did scare me of the possibility of this becoming so true but I would hope it wouldn't and if anything I would hope it takes centurties to lose out humanity like that.

P.S i do love this book ! its actually great!

Erin Myers said...

Ma Kayla J.:

Both things stood out to me because people literally fight and there have been numerous deaths over black Friday deals. Its scary to think a deal on a flat screen tv is more important than someone's life.