Really Really Free Market in San Francisco
Yesterday I went to the monthly East Bay Really Really Free Market (a.k.a. Hella Free Day), which is on the north side of Lake Merritt. It’s a non-commercial, mutually supportive event. People bring things to share to which anyone is welcome — objects they don’t want anymore, skills, their presence and company. The idea is that through convening non-commercial and mutually supportive events, our social fabric can be transformed — oh yeah, and it’s fun, too.
The Really Really Free website lists some platitudes that express what Really Really Free Markets are reacting to, and what they aim to create. Why have a Really Really Free Market?
Because there is enough for everyone
Because sharing is more fulfilling than owning
Because corporations would rather see landfills overflow than anyone get anything for free
Because scarcity is a myth constructed to keep us at the mercy of the economy
Because a sunny day outside is better than anything money can buy
Because “free trade” is a contradiction of terms
Because no one should have to do without food, shelter, entertainment, and communityBecause life should be a picnic, but it only will be if we make it happen
There are so many ways to remember the spirit of these viewpoints — whether it is by helping envision foreign policies fundamentally built on generosity, organizing and participating in creative and spirited community events like this one, or giving an individual you meet on the street the change s/he’s asking for.
For me, one of the most exciting parts of actual, physical events embodying such a spirit of generosity and support is that they are attended by real, live other humans. Because of this, they are a perfect reminder of something I believe wholeheartedly but am apt to forget: for the most part, people yearn for things to be better. People yearn for connection and fulfillment. Give people the right setting and their facades that seem cold, which can result from feeling run-down and lonely in a liberally paved nine-to-five world, will get the chance to crack, revealing the love and innovation concealed within.
Don’t be afraid to reveal that you want things to be different and believe that they can be. Let love guide you instead, and you might find that your community is a lot more vibrant and fun than you had remembered.
I’ve always wanted to go to Hella Free Day! I haven’t made it yet, but your pst has inspired me to mark the first Sunday of September and commit myself to going.
It’s amazing when people come together and freely give each other what they have. We’re are stronger when we help each other. Believe it or not, this is the first thing I learned in Econ 101. I was told the fundamental reasoning behind the capitalist system is that we increase our yield and efficiency through sharing, or trading as my professor called it. At this point, however, it is rare to find such trades– based on community, caring, and genuine need rather than greed or personal gain.
But when we do find it, it renews our faith in humanity and in ourselves, making our lives more full-filling. I’ve been helping at a Farmer’s Market in the Sunset in San Francisco, and at the end of the day we all trade what we have for things we need. We walk away with lots of fresh food, given to us with love from those we’ve come to know. When we eat it, we think of the person who gave it to us and it makes the food taste even better. It’s so wonderful!
Thanks for allowing me to reflect on this Lauren! Great post!
Katie, your comment about the farmer’s market reminds me of the summers that I spent selling veggies at a farmer’s market in DC. A similar thing happened there, too, with the bread vendors sharing their day-old wares with farmers, and the fruit farmers sharing ripe-to-the-point-of-bursting fruit with everyone else. I think these moments of spontaneous sharing happen quite often, but they go unnoticed by many … that’s one reason why it’s neat to have something formalized like the Really Really Free Market.