Nina Moske’s article about PublicSq. value aligned shopping site (Monitor, 7/28) was enlightening and led me to search the PublicSq. website. What I found there left me appalled and insulted. I must disagree strongly with professor Meyrowitz that this start up will not add to the divisions that already exist in our country. My neighborhood is made up of people from diverse backgrounds and view points. They tolerate our political yard signs and Pride flags. When we get together we discuss gardens, garden-eating deer and ground hogs, the condition of our road and the welfare of our neighbors. I really don’t know how they feel about many of these cultural issues that this site focuses on.
But PublicSq. makes clear they have no respect for LGBTQ rights, for a woman’s right to control her own body, for public school teachers and librarians and I was insulted and angered by all the “anti-woke” language there. I have never wondered if I agreed with the political or cultural attitudes of farmers whose apples or blueberries I picked. I have never discussed my or my families beliefs with my gym owner or realtor. But the fact that the companies listed in the article have chosen to be part of PublicSq. has changed my naive attitude. These companies have every right to not want my business and I have every right to never shop in their stores, pick their fruit or join their gym. And I never will.
Barbara Laverick
Wolfeboro