Over the past year, the “Karen” meme has grown increasingly popular. It has become a symbol for several contentious social issues and is frequently used to shame women who engage in self-serving or racist behaviors.
Karen has become a widely used epithet to denigrate those who oppose vaccination and don’t wear masks in stores, as well as white people who call the police on black neighbors.
1. “Karen” vs. “Ken”
In today’s age of viral videos and memes, much attention is paid to content that goes viral. This type of post typically originates from someone or group seeking publicity for themselves, their business, or cause; these types of posts are known as viral marketing and can be found online on platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
Recently, there has been a flurry of “Karen” videos gaining widespread attention. These films often show white women or men acting incredibly entitled or insensitive when confronted by people of color.
No, not all white women are Karens, but a substantial portion of them do act this way. From trying to reserve parking spots at public parks to engaging store managers in heated arguments or demanding entry without wearing a mask at grocery stores, Karens tend to take action when faced with challenges.
These situations can be seen as racial profiling, since white women appear more likely to arrest and harass people of color than their white counterparts. That is why many activists are calling these videos out, since they appear to be stirring up much anger and rage within the public.
Due to this phenomenon, viral video clips often garner a great deal of attention even when they don’t accurately reflect what actually occurred. For instance, John Dillard posted a video on Twitter last month depicting an encounter between a white woman and Black man.
Dillard maintains the woman acted in a way which made her appear to be an evil person, though exactly what transpired between them remains uncertain. His decision to post video clips has been met with criticism and his account of events has been challenged by some.
Lillian Glass, a Los Angeles-based communications and body language expert, believes these videos serve an important purpose by drawing attention to the discrimination people of color face in society today. She points to the surge of social-media footage that’s been circulating since May’s coronavirus hit America; saying it offers people an opportunity to bring attention to issues which might otherwise go undetected.
2. “Karen” vs. “Ken”
Recent viral videos and memes depicting white women calling the police on Black people or their dogs have cemented “Karen” into popular culture. It has become a ubiquitous part of social media conversations, signaling an escalation in tensions caused by the coronavirus pandemic that affects both white and minority communities alike.
The term has become a ubiquitous catchphrase, often accompanied by the “Karen haircut,” an asymmetrical bob that flaunts women’s privilege. Unfortunately, using slang terms to label behavior can obscure what’s really going on–especially when it comes to racism and sexism.
Karens are known for their pushy behavior and anti-science views. They come in all shapes and sizes; some even call the police on neighbors’ dogs for barking at the park! Others, like those from St. Louis who stenciled “Black Lives Matter” on their balcony, act out more violently.
Some incidents are overtly racist, while others raise larger issues about mental health and classism. Many viral Karens are simply frustrated that their community’s rules don’t bend to their will; however, these same individuals may also be affected by stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic.
Some Karens may be more elitist or wealthy than others, but all of them strive to exert their power over their peers. That is why their behaviour can be seen as privileged even by those who disagree with them.
One of the most renowned Karens was Amy Cooper, who made headlines with her shocking response to a man asking her to curb her dog in Central Park. Although she later apologized for her behavior, it was widely perceived as overtly racist and sexist.
Karen was another woman who refused to wear a mask when her manager at Gelson’s Market forced her into the store. This incident was captured on camera and posted online, according to Newsweek.
3. “Karen” vs. “Ken”
Viral Videos and Memes are a form of viral communication that spreads rapidly across the Internet. These may include videos, email forwards, text messages, images or even memes which have been created with the purpose of making fun of others or spreading awareness and education.
Viral videos usually showcase something interesting or funny that gets people talking. These can range from a baby doing the Cha Cha to a car driving down an interstate, and many times these come along with text messages or email forwards sent widely to friends and family.
Another popular viral video is the one where a woman grabbed her dog by the collar and called police to report that an “African American man” was threatening her life. This video went viral, prompting people to call out racism against it – even New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio spoke out about it afterwards.
Racial harassment of women has become a major issue in the United States and it’s an issue of grave concern to many. There have been multiple instances of women being labeled “Karens” for their discriminatory acts.
Karens are middle-aged white women who demonstrate behavior indicative of privilege. This includes demanding to speak to a manager in order to belittle service industry workers, being anti-vaccination, and engaging in racist microaggressions against people of color.
These behaviors can have grave repercussions for those involved, both victims and perpetrators. In some cases, such behaviour may even amount to criminal offenses; for instance, video of a woman pulling her dog by the collar while reporting an “African-American man threatening her life” led her employer to fire her and charge her with discrimination.
In addition to the examples listed above, Karens have also been seen wearing masks and pointing guns at Black Lives Matter protestors and people wearing masks because they are worried about the COVID-19 virus. These actions have been interpreted as an effort by entitled white people to assert their power at the expense of those around them.
4. “Karen” vs. “Ken”
Karens are white women who believe their way is the best, whether that means calling the police on a Black person in Central Park or insisting retail and restaurant employees wear face masks. Many Karens possess an arrogant sense of entitlement, an antipathy toward authority figures and an underlying racist mindset.
Karen slang has become increasingly commonplace in recent years, as viral videos and memes spread across social media and beyond. It serves to shame white women for engaging in behavior which is seen by most as selfish or racist by society at large.
As 2020 progressed, Karen-related incidents produced a variety of embarrassing moments that served to highlight systemic racial bias and racism in American culture. For instance, white women were labeled “Karens” during the coronavirus pandemic; one woman even falsely accused a Black man birdwatching in Central Park of threatening her.
Pandemic-shaming has also been used to shame white women who engage in more subtle forms of racial discrimination and harassment. A woman who stenciled a “Black Lives Matter” message on her neighbor’s property was labeled as a “San Francisco Karen.”
Some social-media users and commenters have noted how the term “Karen” can be used to chastise women for not abiding by rules or being too aggressive in public settings. These resentments may be linked to the ongoing pandemic and its stresses such as lockdowns, furloughs and President Trump’s policies that have left some Karens feeling insecure or threatened.
Some believe these reactions to viral videos and memes are caused by a toxic myth of female hysteria that’s pervading American culture. This belief has caused women’s anger and aggression to be perceived as more fierce than their male counterparts, even when those depicted in these clips are not.
No matter their motivations, these reactions are important to address. They demonstrate the true harm done by unchecked, inflammatory and racist behaviors which have a lasting impact on communities. That is why it’s critical to take time to call out those who violate basic human rights – no matter how mild their actions appear on screen.
