Karens United,” a new Facebook group, is providing Karen women with support and resources to fight back against name stigma. Members share their stories of abuse and trolling on the page and inspire others to do the same.
In recent months, the “Karen” meme has gained steam as a humorous take on racism and white privilege, particularly in light of Black Lives Matter protests and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Karens United Facebook Group
Karens United, a private Facebook group created to combat the stigma attached to the name, has grown to nearly 2,000 members from around the world.
The term “Karen” has become a byword for middle-class white women who exhibit behaviors seen as indicative of their privilege. Examples include demanding to speak to managers with an entitled tone of voice, demeaning service industry workers, and engaging in racist micro-aggressions.
Social media has taken notice of many of these incidents, labeling women as “Karens” for their inappropriate actions. Amy Cooper – a New York City birdwatcher who called the police on a black man for asking her to put her dog on a leash – became known as Central Park Karen. Other examples include Lisa Alexander calling the cops on a Filipino man for painting Black Lives Matter on his property and Janene Hoskovec being fired from Domino’s Pizza after coughing in front of customers.
Some have defended this slang term as an expressive tool, yet it has also been criticised for being sexist, ageist and classist. Julie Bindel of The Guardian has noted that using such language can be seen as insensitive and disparaging – leading to accusations of abuse.
Karens from around the world have joined Karens United on Facebook, sharing their struggles with negative associations related to the word “Karen”. In response, members are being encouraged to “join the crusade” against this name stigma and “fight back” against these damaging associations.
According to the group’s description, many Karens have felt the negative consequences of name stigma in their personal lives and become fearful when speaking their names out loud in public. In some cases, this has even contributed to mental health issues like depression.
Karens without online connections exist too, and they tend to be incredibly kind and polite. One Karen, who asked to remain anonymous for security purposes, told NBC 2 she has never said the phrase “let me speak to the manager” when having her hair cut short in an angled style. Additionally, Karen has a passion for animals – running a mobile pet food pantry from her car is part of what drives her passion!
The Memes
Memes are ideas, styles or behaviors that spread through social media. Typically, they consist of images, text or videos which people share and then copy and repost elsewhere on the network. Memes can range in complexity; with images forming simple yet complex visual compositions with words to elicit emotional reactions from viewers.
Memes have long been around, but the way they spread through the internet has transformed how we communicate. These “nuggets of cultural currency” allow for virally-shared “mockery” of injustice, support marriage equality, call out racism and even poke fun at NSA surveillance – all while spreading laughter!
Though its origins remain uncertain, the term “meme” originated with Richard Dawkins’ 1976 book The Selfish Gene which proposed that evolution relied not on genes but a self-replicating unit of transmission such as a meme. Thanks to technology like the internet and other forms of media, memes can spread like wildfire today through ideas, styles and behaviors we share.
The ubiquitous nature of “meme” on the internet has encouraged more people to create and share these online jokes and references, which are revolutionizing how we discuss social issues and politics. Some even believe they can help brands elicit better responses from audiences.
One of the most famous memes involving Karens is “Central Park Karen”, which refers to Amy Cooper, a white woman who called the police on Christian Cooper after they got into a fight over Cooper’s dog being off-leash in Central Park. This term has been used in various contexts such as to describe an middle-aged white woman accused of being rude or entitled.
According to Know Your Meme, “Karen” has come to be associated with white women who are considered rude and inappropriate as well as those labeled as “elitist,” according to their online meme encyclopedia. Additionally, in 2017, a group called r/F—YouKaren was formed which is allegedly dedicated to spreading hatred towards Karen.
Though its exact origins remain uncertain, researchers have noted that women often use this term to express anger and frustration at perceived unfair treatment. Furthermore, it can be employed in creating a sense of community among closed group settings like Facebook groups. These spaces provide refuge and safety to those who have been disenfranchised due to systemic discrimination or lack of resources; their voices can be heard.
The Fight
Recently, the internet has given birth to a term many have come to refer to as an insult against middle-aged white women: Karen. These terms are frequently used as shorthand for violent videos of white women screaming at store managers or making racist comments on social media platforms like Know Your Meme – an online culture site.
Though these viral names may seem harmless, they can have serious repercussions for those who are the target. Some women have been forced to change their social media accounts and photos in fear of harassment and trolling; some even consider changing their names entirely.
The term “Karen” has ignited a worldwide social media campaign against name stigma, with women from various backgrounds coming together in an online private Facebook group and on Twitter to discuss how their shared name affects them. Utilizing hashtag activism such as #notinourname and #karenisaname, these women are fighting back against any stigma attached to their names while showing solidarity with one another.
They are taking the term to social justice forums to highlight how the internet has damaged their names and left them vulnerable to abuse and trolling. Furthermore, they urge people to take action against this trend.
It is wise to have a conversation with your friends or family about why you are making disparaging remarks about someone for being Karen, as this term should never be used. This slur has caused so much pain to so many people and needs to cease, according to one member of Karens United’s Facebook group.
Talking with family or friends can help you comprehend why someone might be labeled a Karen, and how that has affected their lives. The most important thing is to be kind and try to view the situation from their point of view.
Atticus Finch’s words in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird serve as an inspiring example of empathy and compassion towards Karen. Through Atticus’ understanding, Tom Robinson was actually traumatised by her father’s beating of her and it has left her feeling angry, depressed, and aggressive.
The Community
Karens United,” a Facebook group with nearly 2,000 members from around the world, wants to address the name stigma they feel associated with their names. According to one member who founded it, Karens’ mission is “fight back” against sexist and ageist associations associated with their names.
The term “Karen” has become a derogatory label for white women who seem entitled or insist on getting their way. Critics have labeled this trend sexist, ageist and classist; drawing on stereotypes of rude working-class staff members while engaging in pseudoscience research, according to journalist Jessica Schimkowitz – an expert on digital media trends.
Typically, the term is used as a shorthand to refer to any white woman caught on video behaving badly in public. It has become increasingly popular over recent months and has been applied to criticize an array of white women who have acted out in ways that could be perceived as offensive or racist.
This has led to controversial flashpoints such as a woman pointing a gun at Black Lives Matter protestors or shouting at Black birders and calling the police on them. Videos of these incidents have gone viral, sparking real-life consequences.
Many women have no connection to these viral clips or the stereotypes they have helped create. Karen Feldman, a member of the Facebook group, states she has never had her hair cut in an angled way nor made videos showing off herself asking for a manager or being featured in one. She claims her name has never had an adverse impact on her life and believes it has only served to enhance it.
As a result, the Facebook group’s leaders say they want to fight back against the stigma attached to being associated with white people who have behaved unjustly. They aim to build an online community of ‘Karens’ who are tired of being labeled ‘Karens’ by the internet and are looking for ways to be ‘kinder’ towards one another.
