In the age of social media, we are constantly exposed to the opinions and preferences of others. We can easily see how many people like, love, or react to a post, a comment, or a message. But what about the opposite? What about the people who don’t like something, or who disagree with it, or who find it offensive or annoying? Where is the option to express that?
The word ‘dislike’ seems to have disappeared from our online vocabulary. It is rarely used as a verb, and even less as a noun. Instead, we have more euphemistic ways of showing our displeasure, such as ‘unfollow’, ‘mute’, ‘block’, or ‘report’. Or we resort to more aggressive forms of criticism, such as ‘troll’, ‘hate’, ‘cancel’, or ‘roast’. There seems to be no middle ground between indifference and hostility.
Why is this the case? Why are we afraid to say that we dislike something or someone? Is it because we fear the backlash of others who might disagree with us? Is it because we want to avoid conflict and maintain a positive image? Is it because we don’t want to hurt the feelings of the person or entity behind the content? Or is it because we have lost the ability to articulate our reasons for disliking something in a respectful and constructive way?
Whatever the reason, I think we need to reclaim the word ‘dislike’. It is a perfectly valid and useful expression of our personal taste and judgment. It does not mean that we are hateful, intolerant, or ignorant. It does not mean that we are trying to impose our views on others or that we are rejecting their views. It simply means that we have a different perspective, preference, or experience.
Disliking something does not have to be a negative or destructive act. It can be an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and others, to explore different viewpoints and arguments, to challenge our assumptions and biases, and to grow as individuals and as a society. Disliking something can also help us appreciate what we do like more, and to express our gratitude and admiration for it.
So let’s not be afraid to use the word ‘dislike’. Let’s not shy away from expressing our honest opinions and feelings. Let’s not censor ourselves or others for having different tastes and perspectives. Let’s respect each other’s right to dislike something, and let’s try to understand why they do. Let’s use the word ‘dislike’ as a tool for dialogue, not for division.
