Lessons from a controversy

THE recent socks issue in Malaysia underscores a broader lesson about societal reactions to sensitive matters. A former minister’s call to tone down the rhetoric reminds us of the delicate balance between expressing legitimate grievances and ensuring that these expressions do not spiral into divisiveness.

The incident, involving a call for a boycott against a chain of stores for selling socks deemed offensive, highlights the potential for minor issues to escalate into significant controversies if not handled with care. In a diverse society, a measured approach to conflicts is needed. The store management’s swift apology was a step in the right direction. How-ever, the continuation of the boycott call, even after charges brought following due process, points to a deeper issue of how communities respond.