The World Needs More Haters

Graphics by Ailani Wong

All eyes were on Kendrick Lamar during the halftime show as he took one of the biggest stages in the world and made a cultural and political statement. How did he get there? 

By being a hater. 

Traditionally, we view “hating” as a bad thing - the word is surrounded by negative connotations. And yes, sometimes it's not helpful. Telling your friend you hate her style just isn’t a good look, and you should definitely keep your mouth shut if you hate a friend’s cooking. However, we Jerks argue that, in many instances, being a “hater” can benefit both you, and the world. 

Historically, some of the biggest cultural shifts have happened because people decided to be haters. The Enlightenment: people, finally, side-eyeing the church and monarchy. The rise of hip-hop was actually a response to systemic oppression and a rejection of sugar-coated pop. Great artists and thinkers weren’t just creating; they were rebelling.

Now, a sanitized idea of toxic positivity is running rampant in our world, especially online. It’s the “good vibes only” mentality that steamrolls over legitimate emotions and replaces them with empty platitudes. And right now, it’s everywhere.

Influencers push the idea that burnout can be solved with a gratitude journal instead of systemic changes. Corporate brands disguise exploitation as “hustle culture” while underpaying workers. Billionaires are framed as inspirational figures instead of corrupt hoarders, and questioning a bad trend makes you the problem instead of the trend itself. 

This positivity takes what could be real conversations and turns them into light small talk, where everyone is agreeing with each other and too scared to say what they are really thinking. Not only does this slow progress, it inhibits the growth of more personal relationships. 

It's a fact: hating brings people together. It is almost impossible to form a real friendship if you aren’t saying what you actually think, and for most people that includes a good amount of negativity. Psychologists say that when we find people that we can hate with, it fosters a sense of community and belonging. 

Another study says that, in addition to strengthening relationships, venting can also lower stress and boost critical thinking; something very necessary in today’s climate. 

Now, more than ever, we need people who aren’t afraid to say, “Actually, this sucks.” The backlash against “hater culture” is often just an attempt to hush those who challenge authority and disrupt comfortable narratives. But Kendrick Lamar’s brand of critique isn’t about pointless negativity—it’s about truth-telling. And if we want a culture that values authenticity over mindless hype, we need more people willing to call out the bullshit.

A world without critique? That’s not positivity. That’s propaganda.