Recent video footage has exposed an increasing trend of rude and entitled Karens making racist statements against people of color or calling the police on them in public.
These events have prompted cities across America to pass laws designed to deter Karens from calling 911 with false claims. Others aim to stop them from stealing or harassing employees.
Deterring Karens from calling 911 to make false claims
States across the US have passed laws to deter rude and entitled Karens from calling 911 with false claims. Not only have these laws been successful in deterring this behavior, but they have also served to prevent it from ever occurring in the first place.
This year, San Francisco passed a law prohibiting false emergency reports. This measure was inspired by Supervisor Shamann Walton’s Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies Act, which she proposed after witnessing white women calling the police on Black people for doing nothing more than asking their dog walker to put their pup on its leash or barbecuing.
This bill makes it illegal to file a false report based on race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender or sexual orientation. Furthermore, police must be informed about any false report made by someone so that they can investigate whether it is indeed racially motivated.
Some criticize this law, believing it will simply encourage more of the same type of behavior. This could be because the regulations are too vague and leave it up to law enforcement officers to determine whether there truly is a problem or not.
Others worry that the bill could create a new type of nuisance, one which could easily be sued in civil court for making false reports. While this would involve an enormous burden of proof, trial lawyers could potentially profit from growing public resentment towards what these laws are supposed to prevent.
Karens are not specifically targeted by law, but these behaviors tend to be observed among middle-aged white women who expect special privileges that they do not deserve. These individuals tend to be aggressive towards service workers and possess narrow-minded perspectives of the world around them.
This class of people are guided by the same mindset that led to Carolyn Bryant’s false accusation that Emmett Till had wronged her in 1955, which ultimately resulted in Till’s brutal lynching. This attitude has its roots in a history of violence and discrimination against people of color which has disproportionately affected middle-class white women.
Deterring Karens from stealing
One year ago, there was an epic clash on social media between the internet and what are commonly referred to as “Karens.” These women tend to be white and possess a certain entitlement; often having never experienced true hardship in their lives. They serve as symbols of the First World and often don’t understand true struggles.
These people appear to be deeply unhappy with their current situation. They’ve been left feeling demoralized by the ongoing racial tension in America, as well as numerous personal and financial difficulties.
Many have taken to the internet in an effort to vent their anger. Some of these videos have gone viral, garnering millions of views.
These videos range in intensity, from frightening to embarrassing. Karens can be seen spewing on random people, calling workers names, and refusing to leave establishments until they get what they want.
Karens often engage in false accusations when making 911 calls. For instance, one video with over ten million views depicts a woman calling police on a black family for having barbecues at a lake. The woman, identified only as “Becky,” threatened to take them to court for not having a permit.
Even children can fall prey to rude and entitled Karens. In 2021, Frederick Joseph was walking his dog in Brooklyn when a woman began harassing them for barking loudly at night. She reportedly threatened to call the police and instructed Joseph and his partner that they needed to remain inside their hood.
Cliche as it may sound, it’s something many people experience on a daily basis. That is why it is essential to be aware of the potential repercussions of such behaviors.
White women especially should remember they have the power to address inappropriate behavior without fear of judgment or condemnation. That was ultimately what spurred on the Karen law – if you find yourself getting frustrated by such behaviors, don’t wait – take action now.
Deterring Karens from harassing employees
Many workplace harassment incidents involve employees who may not have broken any legal regulations. Nonetheless, their behavior and comments can negatively impact the terms and conditions of employment. As a result, harassing incidents thwart efforts to create an atmosphere of collegiality and trust among coworkers that deters harassment and encourages reporting of it.
Karen or Ken who behaves in an unacceptable manner may be held accountable under various federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination and harassment. Examples include Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as various other anti-harassment statutes at both state and local levels.
In some cases, these laws have helped deter rude and entitled Karens from harassing their employers. One such instance involves a woman who experienced harassment by her coworker for three weeks; this incident led her to file a hostile work environment claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to treat their employees with respect and fairness. The law outlines a number of prohibited behaviors, such as harassment, intimidation and retaliation; however it does not cover all forms of harassment or discrimination; thus the term “harassment” can be applied to both prohibited and nonprohibited conduct.
These laws can help enforce policies that prevent harassment of any kind, but it may not always pinpoint the precise types of conduct and behaviors that constitute harassment. For instance, someone can be found to have engaged in harassing behavior if they threaten an employee or interfere with their ability to do their job even if this conduct isn’t prohibited under any of the aforementioned laws.
Other forms of harassment may be more subtle and less likely to elicit an immediate reaction in someone or push them towards reporting it. Without the correct tools and training, these kinds of offenses may go undetected for months or even years.
Terence Fitzgerald, an associate professor of communication at American University in Washington, D.C., has long observed the Karen phenomenon firsthand and believes it to be due to mental health, substance abuse and economic stress. These elements have left some people feeling angry and agitated in public spaces – especially as we move toward a new president who is perceived as a white nationalist.
Deterring Karens from leaving online reviews
If you’re a business owner, you likely know how influential customer reviews can be. They often spell the difference between success and failure for an operation. With today’s digital review platforms, negative feedback can pose an immediate and serious threat to any enterprise.
The most popular way to handle these complaints is simply not responding or withdrawing if necessary. However, an increasing number of states have passed laws which aim to deter Karens from leaving negative or false online reviews in the first place.
One of the best examples is a law passed in California which requires businesses to include a “gag clause” in contracts with online review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor. Violations of this clause carry up to $2,500 fines, with repeat violations potentially reaching $10,000.
Massachusetts is considering enacting a similar law. Representative James Scibak has introduced legislation that would ensure companies have non-disparagement clauses in their contracts with online review sites before publishing negative reviews.
Even with these measures, a small group of angry and entitled Karens still manage to undermine the efforts of many business owners. To effectively deal with them, you need to understand their motivations and then act accordingly. The most effective way to do this is by being clear, concise and rational while avoiding any emotional reactions which might trigger a Karen.
