Since the start of Black Lives Matter protests, “Karen” has become a derogatory term to refer to an entitled white woman. This has resulted in viral videos depicting racist, entitled Karens acting out of spite.
These videos serve as a stark reminder of how racism still permeates our society and remains an underlying source of frustration. They are indicative of class inequality.
Racist
Social media is abuzz with protests against an increasingly entitled white woman known as Karens. These women have been portrayed as demanding their own way and using their privilege to make demands that don’t fit within the norm. Common behaviors include demanding “speak to the manager” in an effort to minimize service industry workers, being anti-vaccination, and engaging in racist microaggressions such as asking to touch black people’s hair.
In recent years, these memes have grown increasingly popular as a response to ongoing political and social unrest, particularly following 2020’s protests against police violence. While these women may cause anger among some, they should be condemned just like any other individual.
CNN conducted a study which revealed that people are most likely to protest against entitled Karens when they feel discrimination is being perpetrated against them. Furthermore, people have demonstrated an affinity for protesting when witnessing racist incidents involving Karens.
Karens have often harassed or abused black people, as well as calling the police on Blacks for nonviolent or minor crimes. Furthermore, people tend to protest more strongly against Karens who make racially charged threats or show rudeness towards others.
Karens often associate themselves with Baby Boomers, who have a reputation for being closed-minded and out-of-date on issues such as gender equality, sexuality, and youth culture more generally. Some millennials and members of Generation Z have made it their mission to call out this generation for being stuck in the past; consequently they tend to protest against them more frequently.
Another reason some Karens feel targeted is their name – Karen. If someone calls them Karen without knowing who they actually are, it could lead to misinterpretation or dehumanization feelings.
Entitled
The Covid-19 pandemic’s social policing efforts compounded Karens’ sense of entitlement. It gave them the impression that they had a right to demand that managers speak with them or store employees police their behavior.
Karens’ anti-vaccine attitude that marked the early months of the pandemic only added to this tension as they faced a virus that threatened both their health and finances. For them, this forced them to confront their inherent privilege in an unprecedented way.
Therefore, they became increasingly entitled and aggressive. They started calling the police over minor infractions, as well as threatening to call on anyone they felt suspicious of.
Some of these misbehaving Karens have become iconic. In New York City, for instance, Amy Cooper was so terrified of a Black man in Central Park that she put her dog on a leash to keep it away. This incident served as an emblematic example of how white women can use their privilege to harm people of color, garnering international attention.
It is worth noting, however, that these are far from being the only examples of racial tensions arising in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In many parts of America there have been reports of white people engaging in anti-Black irrational violence as a means of venting their frustration over police shootings of Black men.
In some instances, those affected are simply seeking to voice their opposition against racism and oppression they’ve endured during the Covid-19 pandemic. Conversely, some are responding to more general issues of class inequality and white supremacy which have become increasingly prominent in recent years.
Unfortunately, many are ignorant to their own noxious entitlement and believe it to be the only path towards bettering themselves. They possess an overwhelming need to control others and feel superior to them – a byproduct of living in the First World which often leads them down destructive paths.
Rude
The term “Karen” is a derogatory label applied to middle-class white women who take advantage of their privilege and use it against others, often by engaging in racism or demanding more than what society provides them with.
Karens have become a staple of American social media culture. Videos featuring Karens expressing their displeasure over issues such as not having ketchup in restaurants or asking to touch Black people’s hair show just how deeply entrenched these stereotypes have become in American life.
Many videos of Karens show them using their power to harass or intimidate those they don’t know. In one video, Amy Cooper was caught calling the police on her bird-watching neighbor in Central Park, alleging he was threatening her life.
This video has become a global sensation, and not just among Black people who are angered by Karen’s actions. People of all backgrounds across America have been sharing these incidents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram alike.
Karens’ videos of misbehavior serve as a stark reminder that many women still live in societies where certain behaviors are expected. Even when given the freedom to make choices about their lives, some can still feel pressured into acting in ways which don’t align with their values.
As a nation, we must confront these pressing issues head-on and take action. We need to call out those responsible for racism and stand up to Karens and their allies in order to bring about real change.
The “Karen” meme has become a compelling topic of conversation, reflecting both an increasing class divide in America as well as an increasingly distinct social division between whites and Black Americans. Furthermore, fears over Covid-19 have made many people very anxious for their personal safety; those who refuse to wear masks have been labeled “Karens.”
Unnecessary
Karens are a group of white women who often demonstrate sexism, entitlement and other anti-social behaviors. They use false victimhood as an excuse for their wrongdoings; often believing they have suffered abuse or discrimination as justification to defy social expectations such as not speaking up when they believe someone is being treated inappropriately by an authority figure.
These behaviors can be highly irritating and provoke people to act out in protest. Additionally, they cause people to feel agitated, leading to other forms of anger or frustration.
One of the most popular, yet depressing examples is when people are labeled “Karen” by their neighbors. Usually, this involves White Americans having issues with a neighbor’s Black family. Videos like these have gone viral online, garnering millions of views on social media platforms.
According to Matt Schimkowitz, senior editor at Know Your Meme encyclopedia, memes can be seen as a form of dehumanization. They are typically stereotyped as middle-aged white women who lack sexuality and act in an unprofessional manner.
Many people protest against these ‘Karen’ videos due to their sexism and potential for disruption when captured on video and shared socially.
Another reason people protest against unnecessary Karens is that they serve as a stark reminder of the role race and class play in America. These videos demonstrate that some White Americans still feel an uneasy connection with their neighbors who are people of color; they serve as evidence of the “rust on the walls” separating some White folks from others, according to Fitzgerald.
This is especially prevalent in cities and suburban areas, where the racial divide is even greater. Therefore, these ‘Karen’ incidents become more frequent.
In New York City, for instance, these ‘Karen’ incidents are an everyday occurrence. They can be frightening but also captivating and captivating.
