Karens are middle-aged white women who insist upon their own way. They’ve become the villains in a recent wave of social media incidents which are becoming increasingly viral and divisive.
Karens have become a widely shared symbol on social media in the last few months, representing the complex role white women play as victims, possessors and perpetrators. Despite some criticisms, Karens remain popular ways to draw attention to racial inequalities and sexism.
They call the cops.
Karen is a woman in her middle age who enjoys getting into people’s affairs and creating issues. Usually dressed in activewear with a cropped blonde hairstyle, Karen can also call the cops when she feels the need to.
The Covid-19 pandemic and national dialogue surrounding Black Lives Matter protests and racial tensions have transformed the Karen into a symbol of social polarization in 2020. From being just another caricature of anti-vaxxers and entitled white women, she has become emblematic for the complex social politics surrounding 2020’s heated discussions about race, class and police brutality.
Since George Floyd, a Black man shot by police in Minneapolis on May 25, Karen-spotting has grown into an avid national pastime. A video showing a white woman calling the police on a Black birder in Central Park brought this topic into the public consciousness.
Some observers worry that the popularity of these shoppers-gone-wild videos ignores the experiences of people of color. They fear these videos will exacerbate existing class-based inequalities, particularly in urban areas. New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio expressed concern recently about Karens’ potential influence over how we view policing in this country.
They don’t wear a mask.
Karens in the Wild are a new breed of people whose fury has been fuelled by the coronavirus pandemic. They refuse to wear face masks in stores and restaurants, despite public health advice.
According to Gary Fine, a sociology professor at Northwestern University, the phenomenon can be attributed to frustration with the virus’ lingering threat and an urge to demonstrate that masks are unnecessary in public places. But they may also serve to reinforce feelings of in-group superiority.
Journalists and cybersleuths have documented this type of behavior on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook US:FB. It can range from confrontations with service staff to physical altercations at the checkout line.
On Monday, a woman refused to wear a mask at California Panera Bread restaurant. She claimed they weren’t necessary since you can still smell farts through your pants.
Conversely, Vice President Mike Pence disregarded health officials’ advice by not wearing a mask to the Mayo Clinic in April. This suggests that masks don’t meet with public health inspectors’ approval, undermining their legitimacy as an effective tool for protection.
They are white.
Karens tend to be mostly white, especially when out and about. Luckily, most of them make it home safely; plus, most are middle aged. That said, Karens may be fun for some to watch but may not be suitable for everyone; proper etiquette goes a long way in creating an enjoyable experience rather than ending up in jail. The key is having a plan.
They have a Toyota Prius.
The Prius is a revolutionary hybrid car, one of the first to be sold in America. Powered by both a gas engine driving its front wheels and an electric motor for high fuel economy, this vehicle excels.
Though the Prius is an eco-friendly and popular option, it also carries with it an image problem. Hybrids were once seen as cutting edge when they were first introduced decades ago; however, since electric vehicles have become more prevalent, hybrids have been largely disregarded.
For 2023, Toyota Prius received a major redesign to give it an aerodynamic appearance and enhanced power output.
Consequently, the Prius is one of the fastest and most efficient small hybrids on the market. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds – two seconds faster than its predecessor when merging into traffic or climbing hills. This advantage makes it a great choice for drivers who need extra power at their disposal.
The Prius also features a variety of convenience features to keep you connected to the vehicle. The XLE and Limited grades come standard with Remote Connect, allowing you to adjust headlights, lock or unlock doors, and remotely start the car from your smartphone.
They have a camera.
Karens are middle-aged white women who love to get into people’s affairs. While Karens come in all shapes and sizes, their personality tends to be somewhat eccentric, loud, and sneaky.
Recent months, a wave of Karens have gone viral, claiming to be anti-mask or protesting the coronavirus pandemic. While these videos generate much social media buzz, some critics contend that many lack context or have been altered to appear more impressive than they actually are.
In June, Stacy Talbert began filming herself on the verge of tears while waiting for her food at McDonald’s. She was worried someone would tamper with her meal since she was a police officer.
The video sparked an argument over whether it was sexist. Alicia Sanchez Gill, an activist, challenged this claim. She believes “sexist” has become a catchall term used to refer to middle-aged white women who act entitledly and those who practice classism and racism alike.
Attiah notes the popularity of the “Karen” meme as evidence that it attempts to find humor in real-world racism and oppression. She emphasizes, however, that this term “Karen” should be taken in its specific context rather than applied universally.
They are in the sea.
Karens in the Wild spend half their waking hours outdoors and the other submerged. Passionate conservationists and avid hikers, it is at sea where Karen truly lives up to their name. From monitoring shorebird migration patterns to managing native hedgerows for wildlife habitats, Karen’s interests are many – and she loves sharing them with others!
As the name implies, there is no one-size-fits all solution to this dilemma. But there are a few tips and tricks that can help. Most importantly, remember it’s never too late to appreciate your neighbors’ accomplishments and make an effort to help them out. Appreciating them personally also serves as an effective way of showing gratitude while keeping them safe from harassment or being used as scapegoat.
They are middle-aged white men.
Everyone loves a good Karen, but there’s always one out there who causes problems. This middle-aged white woman with blonde hair often dresses up as Karen and is known for being loudmouthed, calling the cops, or creating problems. This coloring book for adults showcases twenty different kinds of Karens – supermarket Karen, BBQ Karen, soccer mom Karen and more – designed and printed by independent artists with every purchase supporting them! This makes it the ideal present for someone wanting to add some life into their downtime while offering them some merchandise inspired by this irritating yet endearing character.
