by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

The Really Really Free Market is a grassroots project organized directly by the people for the people - not as a political statement, but as a “demonstration of the value of sharing”. People come to share and accept goods, services, food, stories and music, creating an event that builds support for what community - and life - is all about. Coming together in a public space, giving what you don’t need and taking what you do, it is a model of a society based on cooperation rather than competition.

“The Really Really Free market is a living example for how to reduce
the excesses of consumerism while at the same time creating a space for
community.” Said Vinci Daro, Really Really Free Market organizer.

After creatively, successfully and peacefully maneuvering its way through town regulations and bureaucratic hurdles by communicating with officials and local businesses, Carrboro Really Really Free Market has become a welcome monthly public event. Their successful endeavor has since encouraged other NC cities to join in.

My first visit to Really Really Free was surprisingly fun and moving. I unloaded a few of my unused items almost directly into the arms of grateful neighbors. There were smiles and thank yous in all directions. Some people were giving haircuts and others were reading stories. There was a line forming for good, hot food. Yet, this was not, and did not feel like, a charity event - everyone was giving and receiving equally - no catch. Afterall, what’s more fulfilling than being able to provide something useful to another person?

For more information about The Really Really Free Markets, visit ReallyFreeMarketNC@riseup.net.

Tags: community, culture, people

This entry was posted on Friday, November 16th, 2007 at 10:58 am and is filed under Green Misc.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.