Recently, the term “Karen” has become a beloved internet meme. It refers to an annoying middle-aged white woman who feels entitled and entitled.
As the country struggles to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, Karen sightings have grown significantly. This has sparked lively discussions about whether public shaming is appropriate during this crisis.
Entitled Karen
Are you searching for some funny jokes about entitled Karens? Look no further! These white women believe they have the right to everything and get easily annoyed by anything that doesn’t fit their preconceived notion of normalcy.
These people believe they know best how everyone should act, and won’t accept “no” when it comes to things like policing nonwhite behavior or getting their way with a manager. They’re usually seen as aggressive, hysterical, and irrational – definitely not the type of people you want around.
Recent years, these people have become a hot topic of online conversation, with many social media users sharing their stories. They’ve made headlines for calling out people of color for asking to leash their dog in Central Park or throwing tantrums at Starbucks and using tears as leverage in order to get what they want.
The term was initially meant as a criticism of white people’s self-absorption and entitlement. But as conversations around Black Lives Matter movement and police brutality in America intensified, the meaning behind the Karen meme shifted significantly.
During the pandemic, Karen began to take on a more concrete meaning and has become an emblematic symbol for white supremacy. It appears likely that this designation will remain so for some time to come.
Back in February, this term was first used as a lighthearted way of mocking those who feel entitled. But now it has become an integral part of the national dialogue regarding racism and privilege; it can refer to anyone who feels more privileged than others – whether that person be male or female.
One of the most beloved jokes about Karens involves Halloween costumes. This satirical costume depicts a young girl who won’t accept “no” when asked for her hair cut at an adults-only salon.
But it’s also a joke that could be hazardous to young children. According to this video, Karens are known for their anti-vax beliefs and demands to speak with the manager when they feel dissatisfied. These creatures should always be taken seriously so keep that in mind when you spot them out and about.
Rude Karen
The Internet is filled with jokes about rude Karens, who often behave in public in unfriendly or demanding ways. Many of these remarks are directed at white women who tend to use their privilege to impose their will upon others.
These jokes can be found online, including social media and the “Karens” subreddit. While some of them are humorous, others can be offensive. For instance, one joke about a woman asking Red Lobster staff members to speak to her manager is sexist; another about a woman brawling with an employee because her size had been reduced during a pandemic is racist.
Many of these jokes have been shared and liked around the world, but some countries find them especially controversial. For instance, some in Australia have expressed concern that using “Karen” has become derogatory.
Linguistic experts believe the name “Karen” has come to be associated with rude entitlement, similar to other popular names such as “Becky,” “Debbie,” and “Chad.”
Dr. Alicia Sanchez Gill of the University of New South Wales’ Department of Linguistics and Cultural Studies believes this phenomenon is driven by an online culture of satire. It attempts to find humor in situations where people face racism or oppression, making it a useful tool for activists.
Some have defended the Karen video meme, while others argue it trivializes the frustration of a white working class which helped propel President Trump to power in 2016. This group includes blue-collar workers who feel disenfranchised by globalization and technological progress.
According to Aram Sinnreich, associate professor of communication at American University in Washington, D.C., the Karen phenomenon is an expression of frustration with public spaces. “This kind of expression conveys frustration,” he said.
He noted that videos and memes also illustrate how white people often feel trapped by their privilege and racism, particularly in America, where economic disparities between Blacks and whites have grown increasingly large.
Racist Karen
Karen jokes can be offensive and sexist, especially when directed at white people. Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, employers cannot discriminate or create a hostile work environment based on someone’s race, color, or perceived race; therefore, if a Karen joke offends you personally, you have the right to stop it immediately.
Many people find the Karen stereotype to be demeaning and hateful. Unfortunately, it is often used as a way to dehumanize women of color and those who fight against racism.
Therefore, many white feminists have condemned the term “Karen” and reframed it as an anti-woman slur. For instance, British journalist Hadley Freeman declared that using “Karen” should be avoided; another feminist, Julie Bindel, described it as a “woman-hating slur.”
The original joke about Karen was created by a woman who attempted to reserve a parking spot online. When she was unable to do so, her friends posted video of her on Twitter, labelling her an “Karen” for acting irrationally.
This video was incredibly demeaning and offensive, yet it garnered a great deal of attention online. In response, there was an avalanche of videos featuring women called Karens – including one who coughed on patrons at a bagel shop, another who leaned on a car to prevent someone from getting a parking spot, and one who wrote “Black Lives Matter” with chalk on her own property.
These actions are all deeply racist and dehumanizing. Even though they may appear harmless at first glance, the consequences for those responsible as well as other members of their community can be severe.
Furthermore, social norms around this type of behavior are crucial. Research has demonstrated that altering those norms can lead to more racially inclusive behaviors in others; however, this process takes time and requires change on a larger scale.
The Karen name and its many iterations have sparked a national dialogue around racism in America. This has resulted in the destruction of statues, demolition of buildings and careers, as well as increased awareness about Karens’ potential harm to other members of our society.
White Karen
When you think of Karen, you likely envision a middle-aged white woman sporting the iconic “speak to the manager” haircut. That stereotype has inspired numerous memes about Karens that have gained immense popularity online in recent years.
There’s growing concern over the Karen meme. Some have even argued that Karen is actually racist, which is absolutely abhorrent. This is because Karen refers to a group of women and it aligns with terms like “Chads” or “Gammons.”
According to Know Your Meme, women of this group are sometimes perceived as entitled or rude by others. Additionally, they may cause harm by calling the police or acting aggressively toward someone of another race, according to Know Your Meme’s data.
The term has been used to derogatorily refer to many types of women, but is most often seen as an insulting stereotype against middle-aged white women. Along with Becky and Stacy, it’s one of the most popular slang terms used to refer to basic white women.
Many of the jokes about Karen are humorous, but some are quite racist. Indeed, a heated Twitter debate began in early February over whether Karen should be classified as a slur when users used it in jest to correct someone they perceived to be “rude” or “inappropriate.”
At first, it was seen as a jesting reply to what some perceived as an offensive act by a white woman. But over the summer however, its connotations deepened.
After the Central Park shooting, which saw an unarmed black man killed by a white police officer, the term “Karen” became widely used as an expression of anger at what had transpired in New York City. It was an effort to call out white women who were using their privilege to harass or police other people of color.
Karen meme was a pivotal moment, as it demonstrated that even white people can be guilty of racism. It left many feeling uncomfortable and ashamed.
