If you’ve been on Twitter in recent months, chances are you’ve encountered one of Karen memes – a mocking caricature of entitled white women with pushy behavior, classism and anti-science views.
With the release of Amy Cooper’s video calling the police on a Black man in Central Park, it has become evident that some entitled Karens are not only rude in public but also racist.
1. Amy Cooper
Amy Cooper, a white woman, made national news for her rude behavior. She called the police on a black birdwatcher in Central Park and reported that he was threatening her.
Amy Cooper was terminated from Franklin Templeton, an asset management firm, after her video went viral. She claims they fired her without taking into account her fear for safety and is now suing them according to Reuters.
In a 30-page complaint, she alleges Franklin Templeton defamed her by portraying her as racist and discriminating against her based on race and gender by firing her. Additionally, the company had access to “undisclosed facts” which helped justify its decision, according to NBC.
She further contends the company defamed her with its public statements and intentionally caused emotional distress to her. Her lawsuit, filed exactly one year after the incident, requests a jury trial for justice to be served.
As I observed the media coverage of Amy Cooper’s story, I noticed a common pattern: most reports focused solely on her actions without exploring any context or seeking other perspectives.
I discovered this through Kmele Foster’s podcast episode where she interviewed Amy Cooper about the incident and its effects. Amy Cooper related that Christian Cooper had said he’d give her dog treats, which brought back memories of when she was sexually assaulted at university.
In that podcast, Foster recounted how Amy Cooper called the police on Christian because she believed he posed a danger to her. She was concerned he might come up to her and hurt her.
But in actuality, the video demonstrates her attempt to utilize white privilege against a black man by making him feel bad and making it more likely that she would call the police.
Amy Cooper’s reckless behavior is a surefire way to damage both her reputation and career. If she wants to repair her image and regain acceptance in society, she must accept full responsibility for all of her errors.
2. Stacy Talbert
Recently, the term “Karen” has gained notoriety as a popular slang for an entitled white woman stereotype. A flood of viral videos and incidents involving so-called “Karens” has captured both mainstream media attention and social media attention alike.
One of these so-called Karens is Georgia police officer Stacy Talbert. She gained notoriety on Tuesday night when her video of crying over a delayed McDonald’s order went viral, sparking an unprecedented national conversation on police relations with Black people.
Talbert said she wanted to share her experience with others, as the country has been grappling with tensions between law enforcement and communities of color after three people died during encounters with police. Yet she’s been heavily criticized on Twitter for her behaviour.
Some users criticized her overreaction and act as though she were entitled. Others questioned her suitability for being a police officer if she became so emotional over an ordinary fast-food item.
Some even came to Talbert’s defense. A user identified as “Ann” said the video was an example of how police officers in this country are being mistreated by communities of color – she pointed to recent deaths such as Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks as evidence for this claim.
Her moving video was shared to Facebook and Twitter by a conservative account, sparking widespread discussion about police officers across America. With over 8 million views, it has sparked passionate opinions on both sides of the political aisle.
Some called for Talbert’s dismissal or suspension, while others suggested she was simply being dramatic and showing off her emotional side. But she insists the comments she’s received over the past week have only served to further solidify her position.
In a later tweet, Talbert shared her experience with her supporters and encouraged them to stay strong. Additionally, she thanked them for their kind words of support.
But the backlash has been difficult for her too. Some Twitter users criticized her for making a big deal out of something that was actually quite minor, and she claims to have received numerous negative messages from strangers.
3. Stacy Dillard
Stacy Dillard has become a well-known presence in the New York jazz scene since moving here almost two decades ago. He’s renowned for his big, rich tone, inventive ideas, precise technique and patience; traits which he has demonstrated through performances with Winard Harper, Cindy Blackmon, Lenny White, Norman Simmons, Frank Lacy, Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Reed and Roy Hargrove as well as many other renowned jazz artists.
He also plays with several funk and R&B bands, such as cPhyve and The Other Side–both fusions of hip-hop and R&B styles. Additionally, he leads a trio with drummer Ismail Lawal and bassist Diallo House which entertains audiences both live on the road and during their weekly Saturday night residency at Smalls Jazz Club.
Dillard, originally from Muskegon Heights, Michigan, moved to New York in 1989 and quickly made a name for himself among the jazz community there. His mastery of the saxophone, accessibility and warm personality have earned him widespread popularity and respect among saxophonists in NYC and beyond – an accolade which keeps growing with every passing day.
Dillard developed his craft as a young saxophonist by playing with musicians such as Mike Wade on trumpet, Melvin Broach on drums and William Menefield at the piano. His natural swing and impressive ensemble abilities enabled him to blossom rapidly in the music industry.
Dillard has performed around the world at countless venues, from prestigious jazz festivals to private gatherings. He’s recorded with Cyrus Chestnut, Captain Black Big Band, Eric Revis, Winard Harper, Wycliffe Gordon and Lenny White among many other legendary artists. Additionally he’s collaborated on projects across genres of music like rock or pop with Stevie Wonder, Smokee Robinson and Stephanie Mills among others.
Dillard has been an iconic member of the New York saxophone community for over two decades, performing alongside jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Herlin Riley, John Hicks, Joe Lovano, Victor Lewis, Mark Whitfield George Duke Eric Reed Lenny White Norman Simmons and more. With his groups he’s toured internationally internationally with their ensembles.
4. Jessica Mulroney
Jessica Mulroney is the Duchess of Sussex’s go-to stylist, philanthropist and most trusted friend. She’s married to Ben Mulroney – son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney – and they reside in Toronto with their three children; twins John and Brian, as well as little Ivy.
Mulroney is a social media influencer who hosts wedding-themed reality shows and shares her life as a mom to three children on Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, she’s been featured in major publications like Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, and Marie Claire magazine.
Last month, her privileged life took an unexpected turn when black Canadian influencer Sasha Exeter accused her of abusing her white privilege to threaten her career. This incident sparked intense conversations about racism and white privilege as well as the daily humiliations experienced by people of color.
In June 2020, one of Mulroney’s followers posted a video on Instagram depicting their disagreement. In it, Exeter claimed Mulroney had responded “personally” to her request for all white influencers to use their platforms to further advance Black Lives Matter activism.
When Exeter shared her story, Mulroney sent her a direct message threatening a libel suit. She claimed Mulroney told her she would contact brands that were working with her and take action in retaliation.
Recently, news about their feud has spread like wildfire on social media. Other celebrities have been called out for their rude behavior and the hashtag #KarensGoWild is trending across Twitter and Instagram.
There are now multiple websites and forums dedicated to “Karens gone wild,” a cultural moment that is quickly turning into a national scandal due to how privileged some people are. There have been so many examples of white women abusing their power without consequence that people of color now feel unsafe in public spaces.
