In recent months, “Karen” has become a ubiquitous meme to describe women who engage in acts perceived as racist, such as unjustly calling the police on Black people.
It has seen a boost from the coronavirus pandemic and demonstrations for racial justice. These incidents have even inspired legislation that would make it a hate crime to call the police on your Black neighbor for something as minor as not wearing a mask or getting vaccinated.
The “Karen” Meme Describes Women Who Commit Acts in Public That Are Perceived as Racist
Karen has become a widely used term to denote women who engage in acts perceived as racist, such as unjustly calling the police on Black people. Many believe the term originated from comedian Dane Cook’s comedy routine; however, others argue it draws inspiration from black American internet culture and attempts to find humor within real-world racism and oppression.
Karen became a national phenomenon after Amy Cooper dialed 911 on bird watcher Christian Cooper in Manhattan, New York in May 2021. This incident was covered by local news outlets and ignited an intense dialogue about systemic racism.
Attiah noted the term “Karen” is often used to refer to a middle-aged white woman who believes they have the right to do something in public and believes they will get away with it. She often exhibits anger due to an attitude of entitlement or misguided victimhood, demanding to speak to anyone who can give her what she desires.
However, that doesn’t make all white women Karens. And it certainly doesn’t imply that everyone who asks to speak to a manager in an industry job is one either. The Karen meme has become so popular that it has been criticized as sexist and cynical online depictions of White women.
Alicia Sanchez Gill, a senior editor at Know Your Meme, reports that the “Karen” meme has become a derogatory term for middle-aged white women to convey their entitlement. It has also been used as an instrument to criticize rude women such as someone who complains about getting the wrong meal at a restaurant.
Some observers believe the term “Karen” was coined in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen an uptick in reports of mask mandates and harassment of nonwhite people by various authorities. It has also stirred up resentments among white blue-collar workers due to furloughs, layoffs and the return of Black Lives Matter.
The “Karen” Meme References a Hairstyle
If you work in retail or customer service, chances are you’ve encountered a woman wearing what is commonly referred to as the “Karen” haircut. This hairstyle is typically associated with middle-aged white women who are known for their loud complaints and demands – often followed by the phrase, “Can I speak to the manager?”
This type of hairstyle typically consists of a short, angled bob or lob with an asymmetric fringe and chunky highlights in blonde color.
The Karen haircut is often paired with a hat or cap to create the illusion of wearing a wig. Additionally, you can get this hairstyle in an ombre style which features subtle shades of blonde or orange.
Internet users often post pictures of people wearing this hairstyle, but not all photos are suitable. Some can be amusing or downright offensive.
Karen haircuts may not always be the best choice for everyone. Not only does the style appear dated and unflattering on those with darker skin tones, but it may also look unflattering on anyone with fair features.
If you want to avoid looking like Karen, opt for a classic hairstyle that isn’t too short or volumous. Additionally, steer clear of blondes with brassy or orange highlights; these could be caused by unprofessional or washed out bleaching.
Kate Gosselin of Jon & Kate Plus 8 popularized the Karen haircut. This asymmetric blonde bob with long side-swept fringe and chunky highlights has been around for years and continues to be popularized through memes featuring Karens.
Though its exact origins remain uncertain, many believe the term to have come from a Dane Cook comedy special that aired in 2005. Additionally, social media may have played an influential role in spreading awareness of this trend.
The “Karen” Meme References White Women Who Ask to Speak to the Manager
Karen, which originated in a Dane Cook comedy routine, has become an apt description for certain middle-class white women who demonstrate behaviours derived from privilege. These include demanding to speak to the manager, being anti-vaccination and engaging in racist microaggressions such as asking to touch Black people’s hair.
The “Karen” meme is indicative of an increasing sensitivity to the racialized performance of white entitlement in US culture. It further shows how this appropriation has become a dominant form of culturally sanctioned racism within American society.
One of the most iconic examples of this type of behavior is shown in a recurring “Can I speak to the manager?” meme, featuring a white woman demanding assistance with customer service issues. This portrayal of Karen is especially poignant since it highlights how overworked and exploited workers feel when forced into what has historically been male-dominated processes.
Karens are often identified by their trademark inverted bob haircut, an unruly, layered style that gives off the impression of being out-of-control or messy. This haircut has long been associated with anger and entitlement – thus why it has become such a widely used racialized label for those women who exhibit such behaviors.
Data visualization firm Bionic recently conducted a study to analyze the names of women most likely to complain about service issues worldwide and found that Karen ranks eighth. While this may be due to social media culture where users often abbreviate their names, its underlying reason may be more serious: It suggests people feel entitled to engage in certain levels of personal interaction with customer services – even if those interactions are time-consuming and irritating.
The pattern of behavior Karens exhibits is a stark reminder that white middle-class entitlement can have destructive results. It’s especially poignant in light of her complaints, which compound an already systemic resentment towards service industry employees that is prevalent within the US middle class. If Karens succeed in their complaints, it will disproportionately adversely impact already overextended and exploited service sector workers who must wait on them.
The “Karen” Meme References People Being Racist in Public
Karen is a popular internet meme that describes an upper middle class white woman who exhibits racist behaviors. These include demanding to speak to the manager, opposing vaccination and engaging in microaggressions.
Recently, the “Karen” meme has gained prominence online and been met with criticism as being sexist. This is because the term often refers to white women who use their privilege to demand equality for themselves.
Casual racism that is based in classism can have detrimental effects to others. It often leads to miscommunication between those being called Karen and those being addressed as such.
In 2017, during the US coronavirus pandemic, “Karen” became increasingly popular on social media as people refused to wear face masks at stores and restaurants, berating service staff for not complying. Videos of these individuals went viral; many wore the iconic “Karen” haircut – a side-swept bob with shorter hair in the back.
Many of these women were also engaging in racist micro-aggressions. For instance, they asked to touch black people’s hair.
These acts of bigotry should never be tolerated by anyone, as they pose a danger to other people’s health and wellbeing.
In addition to the examples given above, Karen is sometimes used as a general term for white people who are perceived as entitled and trying to gain advantage through their privilege. This could include women harassing others at work or calling the police on others for various reasons.
As an employer, it is essential to be mindful of the type of social media posts, reposts or distribute you make. Furthermore, be aware of jokes being shared online and ensure your employees understand your policies regarding respectful workplace behavior. Furthermore, if someone complains about an offensive joke or comment posted by another individual, listen carefully and appropriately respond under your anti-harassment policy.
