The Karen Stereotype is a derogatory term applied to individuals who exhibit extreme privilege and entitlement. These individuals frequently cause disruption in their workplace and society, insisting on getting their way ahead of everyone else.
Apryl Williams, a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, believes these behaviors are caused by systems of racial inequality. At an upcoming Berkman Klein event, Apryl shared some of her research.
She’s a Racist
Unfortunately, people often associate the Karen stereotype with white women who call the police on innocent people of color. This behavior is deeply regrettable, particularly given recent events and ongoing global protests for racial justice.
Amy Cooper is a prime example of this phenomenon, when she called the police on a Black man while walking her dog in Central Park. This incident sparked new hate crime legislation and made her an overnight sensation online, spurring calls for stricter anti-racism regulations.
Another recent Karen story involves San Francisco-based skincare CEO Lisa Alexander, who called the cops on her neighbor for stenciling “Black Lives Matter” on his apartment window. If found guilty, Alexander could potentially face up to one year in jail.
The name “Karen” has been around for centuries, deriving from the Danish word karen, meaning purity. It’s a popular choice among girls worldwide and currently ranks third on American girls’ names lists.
However, the term has gained controversy in recent years. Some criticize it as sexist, while others assert it’s simply a way of debating casual racism and privilege in white society.
Bionic, a company that specializes in customer satisfaction research, examined over one million reviews from companies on Trustpilot and discovered that many people complained about rude service from a woman named Karen. The study also identified the real names of these complainers.
According to Dr. I.M. Nick, a nomenclature scholar who has studied this phenomenon extensively, the name has become a derogatory term for middle-aged white women who appear overly entitled. While this sentiment has been around for centuries, its impact seems to be amplified by social media platforms, she noted.
In 2020, it became increasingly evident that there was an issue with the Karen name. This term is often applied to middle-aged white women who engage in heated arguments with service industry workers and demand to speak directly to managers when they have a complaint or simply want to vent about something minor. This type of behavior constitutes harassment and could lead to legal repercussions for employers who fail to adhere to proper protocols.
She’s Selfish
The Karen stereotype is a term commonly used to describe aggressive white women who are frequently caught on video harassing or enforcing rules in public spaces. The term has gained notoriety recently due to viral videos showing women screaming at store managers and policeing nonwhite people that have made headlines across social media platforms.
Dr. I.M. Nick, a name expert and former president of the American Name Society, suggests that Karen slang originated from an urge to shorten names on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram. According to her, many Karens use their first names as abbreviations for convenience on these sites.
Karens can be seen as generic middle-aged white women who are perceived to be entitled and assertive, though stereotypes vary based on their actions. Some Karens might yell at police officers or those enforcing park regulations while others might take offense at a manager for perceived shortcomings.
Karens often believe they are superior to people of color, regardless of their behavior. Unfortunately, they take advantage of this privilege even when it means using repressed anger against those of color.
In 2020, a video of a white woman calling police on an African American man birdwatching in Central Park went viral. This incident was connected to larger issues of racism and police brutality, leading to the hashtag “#FearTheDream,” which linked her racialized fear with systemic violence against people of color in America.
This phenomenon, known as adaptive racism, occurs when someone’s preferred values conflict with their idealistic vision of how the world should be run. Adaptive racism is an expression of white supremacy which is incompatible with racial justice and can be used to justify violence against people of color or other forms of discrimination against them.
The term Karen first gained notoriety during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, when it was widely applied to those protesting against social distancing measures and treating it as an excuse to racially police others. People seen enforcing park rules or calling police on nonwhite people were labeled Karens; even Las Vegas’ mayor insisted that casinos should reopen without social distance restrictions.
She’s Entitled
Karens are often middle-class white women who believe they are entitled to special privileges and services. They demand special treatment from others, such as having the manager speak directly to them if a restaurant manager fails them on what they ordered or calling the police if someone is blocking their access to public space.
They often believe they have been victimized by racial discrimination, leading them to use their victimhood as a weapon against those they perceive to be in power. When challenged for their behavior, they may exaggerate the abuse and falsely claim that others were at fault.
Racial profiling, socio-economic and substance abuse issues may contribute to these behaviors, but they aren’t always the cause. Instead, these behaviors may be due to an accumulation of factors including an unresolved sense of powerlessness and a need for assurance that their lives are secure and safeguarded.
It’s no shock that Karen has come to be associated with many antisocial, rule-breaking behaviors that stem from this sense of entitlement. These can range from calling police on kids in a park to demanding waiters bring them ketchup or telling bikini-clad women to cover up.
Recently, the name “Karen” has come to symbolize more than just a whiny white mom with an asymmetrical bob who wants to speak to someone at work. It has become symbolic of an ongoing social critique, calling attention to how white women use their privilege as weapons against those marginalized by society and who don’t have access to resources as easily as they do.
The use of this slur against women has sparked strong reaction both in the UK and US, with many asserting it’s a woman-hating expression based on class prejudice. British feminist Julie Bindel compared it to how “Sharon” and “Tracy” were used in 1980s Britain to label working-class women, declaring it time for this term to be eradicated from circulation.
She’s Unrealistic
The Karen stereotype is an unhelpful, dehumanizing image of middle-aged white women. It creates a stereotypical image of someone who is entitled, ignorant, and a waste of time. It’s often used to mock and shame women who are unhappy in their lives.
Karens are often depicted as white people who act uncivilly towards people of color. They may use their privilege to make racial slurs or call the police on someone who isn’t committing a crime, as evidenced in viral videos where they’ve been accused of racism towards Black children or dogs.
These behaviors often reflect stereotypical ideas about what it means to be a good person, which are often inaccurate. Not only do these individuals treat others with contempt; their underlying values and morals also show through in their actions.
If you’ve ever encountered Karen in real life or watched any of the many satirical videos about this woman online, then you will recognize her habit of complaining to managers with an angry tone of voice. Usually this is because she isn’t satisfied with their service.
These behaviors have their origins in racism and can be particularly damaging to those who do not belong to a dominant group. They may indicate an individual is feeling insecure about themselves, their race and gender; it also serves as a warning that they lack the capacity for understanding beyond their own prejudices.
Many Karens, however, are unaware that these behaviors stem from a belief in racism. They may believe they’ve been victims of their environment or mistreated; however, this is an entirely false perception.
It can be easy to forget racism exists in the real world. That’s why if you feel like being treated unfairly as a Karen, it’s essential to speak up and make yourself heard.
It’s essential to realize that Karen is not simply a stereotype but an actual person trying to live their life in an unrealistic manner. This can be disheartening and it’s essential to comprehend why these individuals act this way.
