Reimagining the Future
A New Kind of Trading Post: Their Currency Is Kindness BY GABRIEL BATNIJ ’22 IT’S MARCH 2020. Rumors are swirling that the state will go into full lockdown. Supermarkets are flooded with people scouring mostly empty shelves. My family wants to buy some yeast, but all that is left is a two-pound bag and nobody needs that much yeast. I decide to share with my neighbors, who reciprocate by sharing their own superstoresized purchases. And then it dawns on me that if we all share our abundances, we can solve our scarcities and get through our crisis together. That evening, I start a Facebook group called San Marino Trading Post for neighbors to give things to each other for free to help each other get through quarantine. A day later, when California shut down everything—when everyone was at home, feeling isolated, wanting to connect with society— people turned to Facebook, where they found San Marino Trading Post. Now, over a year later, there are about 1,100 people in the group. In the beginning, the group focused on providing people with necessities. One immunodeficient cancer survivor asked for disinfecting wipes to keep herself safe and a local business provided them. And as necessities became more available, people started sharing everything, not only
When someone gets something for free from a neighbor, they feel that they have been gifted and that creates a bond with the giver. These bonds are part of what strengthen communities. —Gabriel Batnij ’22 things, such as books, puzzles, tools and thousands of pieces of backyard citrus, but also advice and expertise. One neighbor offered to mend clothing for others. People asked for the best local sandwich, which pest control company to use, how to fix their TV and they all received answers. I had my doubts that people would share my “give without counting the cost” vision of the group, an Ignatian view of the world, but they quickly proved me wrong. No one was ashamed to give away what some might consider worthless. “The saying ‘One person’s trash is another’s treasure’ is
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LOYOL A HIGH SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES
certainly true, thanks to San Marino Trading Post,” one member wrote. From plastic forks to wine corks, everything offered is gratefully received by another neighbor. On the flip side, people also offer each other items of great value, from computers to scooters. When members wanted to start selling items they had been giving away for free, I insisted that the group had started out free and would remain free. When someone gets something for free from a neighbor, they feel that they have been gifted and that creates a bond with the giver. These bonds are part of what strengthen communities. Furthermore, the receiver feels that they have to give something back by sheer human nature, and my group is fueled by that natural instinct. We created a space where people who were gifted something felt a duty to help the community that had helped them. People were vulnerable in this time of crisis and in that vulnerability came the unification of the community. A united community means a more resilient community because people can depend on one another. We all operate under the illusion that there is scarcity in the world, but as a community, we have each other to spread our abundances. In the same way that neighbors can help each other through groups like mine, we as the Loyola community follow our “Men for and with Others” motto. We give without counting the cost, and we become richer when we give.
