Video clips of white women berating or threatening people have become increasingly common on YouTube, yet they have not always caught the attention of social justice advocates.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and national conversations about race and police brutality, “Karen” has come into the spotlight. And as a result, people have begun calling out these incorrigible women for their unsavoury behaviors when in public.
White Privilege
White women are not only the primary victims of racism in America, but they also hold positions of power which allow them to manipulate and control Black people. This stems from slavery and the post-Civil War South’s treatment of Black people; White women had the power to accuse and rape Black men, with some even facing execution for doing so. Such power was an ingrained part of White women’s racial power for centuries.
For centuries, White women have used this power to falsely accuse and rape Black people. There are dozens of court cases where this occurred, with some men even executed. It remains an effective yet dangerous tool in the hands of White women to hold power over a Black person – whether for life or not.
Harassment of any kind can be devastating and cause intense suffering, even leading to illness and the need for medical intervention. Those affected by harassment often feel powerless to resist seeking out assistance in the form of medication or therapy for comfort.
One of the most infamous examples is “Central Park Karen,” a video which went viral. A black birder named Christian Cooper was walking his dog in Central Park when a white woman refused to leash her dog as required. She called 911 and reported there was an “African-American man threatening her life”.
Though not the first instance of white people acting in this manner, it was particularly troubling. It demonstrated how racial fear can cause such behavior and demonstrated the power of white privilege when used by women.
The term was initially coined as a meme shorthand to denote an entitled white woman, but has since evolved into an explicit racial stereotype. It replaces the earlier slang term “Becky,” which described a racially naive white woman who attempts to convince others of her innocence.
Misogyny
Misogyny is a form of discrimination against women and girls that originates from the Greek words misein (“to hate”) and gyne (“woman”). This can include various behaviors and beliefs such as gender discrimination, violence against women, patriarchy, sexual harassment, and objectifying women.
Misogynistic attitudes are often the result of cultural or historical norms and beliefs, such as stereotypical depictions of women’s personalities and behavior in media. Unfortunately, both men and women can harbor misogynistic tendencies without realizing it.
Many times, misogynistic attitudes are formed during childhood. This may occur when a child’s mother or other female figure is abusive or neglectful toward them. These experiences can be traumatic and men may harbor unresolved anger or fear toward women that become deeply ingrained feelings that become part of their mental health for life.
Combatting misogynistic attitudes can be done in several ways, one being education. You could also speak with a therapist about your attitudes and seek treatment if they are causing difficulties in your life.
Another way to combat misogynistic behavior is by taking yourself out of the situation. Although this can be challenging, sometimes it’s the best course of action.
You can also report inappropriate behavior to law enforcement authorities, particularly if you believe it could lead to serious issues. Doing so will bring awareness of the issue and give people more chances to put a stop to it.
Establishing safe spaces for women to express themselves without fear of judgement or reprisal can be an effective strategy to combat misogynistic behavior. These spaces should provide a platform where women feel free to express themselves without fear of reprisal or judgment from others.
Despite the progress that has been made in our world, there still exist places where men and women still experience discrimination. This can be due to cultural values from religious traditions or conservative societies which may not fully endorse gender equality. Furthermore, social media often perpetuates sexist narratives, creating an incredibly hazardous environment for women online and offline. Therefore, it’s essential for women to be aware of both online and real world dangers.
Racism
The Karens channel on YouTube documents some of the more disturbing behaviors common to Karens during public meltdowns. These include using cell phones during confrontations, provocating other people and refusing to wear face coverings.
Karens videos often display racist behaviors. These women target and harass Black or brown people during their public meltdowns to gain power and control over them by falsely claiming they are threatening or dangerous, according to Human Rights Watch’s report.
Karens often display racism by asserting their entitlement. Many of these white women are self-absorbed and wealthy, believing they deserve special treatment. Additionally, they may demand to speak directly to managers or higher authority figures which can be perceived as rude.
Professor McBride notes that some Black or brown people may claim a threat against them or are trespassing on their property. This could constitute racial profiling.
People often turn to social media platforms to document and share their racist behavior with others. This can serve as a form of anonymity, which can lead to issues when it comes to online harassment.
Karens tend to be middle aged, but some younger women have caught the attention of YouTube users as well. For instance, a woman who was videotaped calling the police on an eight year old black child for selling water without a permit became known online as “Kidz Bop Karen,” after this incident went viral.
It wasn’t the first time a young person has been called this name online, and it likely won’t be the last either. This trend has been around for years.
According to Judith Schimkowitz, professor of sociology at the University of Washington, this term originated on Reddit in 2017 and quickly gained popularity as a meme for women who act aggressively petty or annoying. Not only is it easy to remember, but it also accurately captures what’s going on today in our world, she adds.
In 2020, the Karen moniker gained new relevance due to protests against racial injustice and police brutality. These Karens were linked to incidents like Amy Cooper’s video of Christian Cooper in Central Park who threatened a Black man while birdwatching; this event received widespread media coverage and sparked global demonstrations for racial justice.
