The Karen meme began as an amusing joke about entitled white women, but has since become deeply embedded with sexism.
Karen is a middle-aged woman who displays an arrogant sense of entitlement. She often shouts at managers, insults people by name, and does other infuriating things that cause the internet to rage against her.
The origins of the Karen meme
Karen is an increasingly common Internet persona that’s seen as disparaging towards middle-aged white women. While it has existed for some time, its use has grown increasingly popular over recent years.
One of the most famous manifestations of this character can be found on Reddit, where a subreddit called “r/F**kYouKaren” was created in 2017 by a teenager who found humor in another user’s bitter remarks. He dedicated his subreddit to turning these rants into memes and inspiring other users to create their own versions.
In an interview with Know Your Meme, senior editor Matt Schimkowitz explained that Karen refers to white middle-aged women who exhibit aggressive behavior when not given what they want. These individuals typically sport a short, angled blonde bob haircut and possess a sarcastic attitude which gives them the impression of superiority over others.
This type of behavior can be observed in a variety of contexts, such as a woman screaming at a police officer or posting about how meat sent back from her party was already cut up. While these posts may be humorous to some people, they fail to address the more significant issues surrounding racial justice and privilege associated with certain Karens.
Therefore, it’s essential to comprehend the history behind this derogatory term and its evolution over time. That’s why we conducted a survey with 1,500 people about their reactions to this popular online character.
Of those who have seen Karen-related memes, a majority express amusement while a smaller percentage show irritation. Nonetheless, many Karens also report feeling sad when they encounter this type of character.
Last week, Karens made headlines when Amy Cooper, a white woman, called the police on Christian Cooper, an African-American man who had been bird-watching in Central Park. Although this video is untypical of their actions, thousands of protesters from all over the country expressed their outrage and grief at Cooper’s actions.
The edgy white woman
Recently, the internet has been consumed with Karen memes. These popular pronouns have been used to label women who have committed racist acts and even instigated racial tensions.
Some are claiming the Karen meme to be misogynistic, while others suggest it is a reflection of classism and racism. The controversy surrounding the Karen meme continues to evolve as more voices join the conversation.
Theories as to where the Karen meme originated vary, but one popular theory suggests it originated with a Dane Cook comedy special that aired in 2005. In the show, a woman named Karen was mockingly referred to as “the friend nobody likes.”
Karen is a white woman with the iconic “speak to the manager” haircut who always attempts to contact someone. She attempts to make things happen for herself and is both entitled and insufferable.
According to Know Your Meme, the joke was first posted on Reddit in 2014 and has since gained notoriety throughout the online community. She quickly started creating her own memes – including starter pack ones – which eventually led to the creation of a subreddit called “FuckYouKaren,” created in December 2017.
Another theory suggests Karen is inspired by real life people. Kate Gosselin, star of the mid-2000s reality TV show “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” sports a similar haircut.
Some feminists worry that the Karen meme is a misogynistic slur, since it degrades and stereotypes women based on their gender, much like other memes such as “Kyle” or “Chad.”
Alicia Sanchez Gill, a Philadelphia community organizer, has joined other advocates in speaking out against the Karen meme’s use on the internet to denigrate women. She believes this slur stems from classism and racism.
Many feminists have also highlighted that the name “Karen” is gendered, typically associated with white women in America where Karens tend to be seen as middle class and well-off.
The self-entitled white woman
If you’ve spent any time on social media in recent years, chances are you’ve encountered a Karen meme. These humorous posts cite white women who are perceived to be acting entitled or carrying out microaggressions against people of other races or genders.
The origins of this slang term remain uncertain, though some attribute it to Amanda Seyfried’s slow-to-respond character Karen Smith in Mean Girls. Others suggest it was inspired by a Reddit subforum named r/f***youkaren which helped give birth to it.
This slang term is often used to describe middle-aged white women who are perceived to be unruly or obnoxious. They may be shouting at their kids, belittling workers or allegedly committing microaggressions against people of color.
In some cases, women have been caught on video and their behavior recorded. One woman was even recorded calling the police on a Black man who asked her to put her dog on a leash in Central Park!
Another example involved a woman who called the police on an unruly group of Black men eating barbecue in Oakland, California. This woman, affectionately known as BBQ Becky, was captured on camera and her actions documented.
Karens are known for their insistence that they are always right, regardless of what they may think at the time. They possess a self-entitled attitude and lack knowledge, making them intolerant towards anyone they perceive as inferior.
It is an unfortunate reality in our world, and it’s especially pertinent to remember that this type of behavior is much more likely to occur among those of color. While it’s understandable for a middle-aged white woman to step in during such a crisis, her actions could potentially prove disastrous.
Karen has been around for some time, but its use in the current COVID-19 Pandemic has given it new life. It has become a shorthand to denote an increasingly vocal minority of middle-aged white women who oppose social distancing – either out of ignorance or self-interest.
The rude white woman
The “Karen” meme first gained notoriety a couple of years ago, serving as an insult against middle-aged white women perceived to be acting entitled in public. Since then, it has taken on a life of its own and now serves as a catchall phrase for any white woman perceived to be acting inappropriately, rudely or entitledly online.
Karen is a stereotypical white woman who wears the “speak to the manager” haircut and displays an aggressive, superior attitude. When angry about something that has occurred, Karen often complains to store managers or restaurant staff; additionally, she has many young children and may be an anti-vaxxer.
Karens tend not to cause too much trouble for others with their complaints. One white woman in New Jersey was famously dubbed the “New York Karen” when she called police after her adult daughter was pulled over for not having current registration. She flashed her New York and New Jersey Port Authority commissioner’s badge and berated officers for almost an hour before being told she had no rights in intervening in the situation.
As the “Karen” meme has gained momentum, some have begun to question its legitimacy and even suggest that it may be sexist. One journalist even went so far as to suggest the word was founded upon “woman hating” and class prejudice.
Another argument is that “Karen” is a term for unacceptable behaviors, such as making calls on strangers or wearing face covering in shops. However, if this is true, then labelling it a sexist slur would be an overreach.
Some argue that the name “Karen” has its roots in racial tensions and this explains why white people often use it in an offensive manner. According to The New York Times, working-class women used the moniker in 1980s Britain to disparage younger, white females.
Karen is a stereotypical white woman with an asymmetrical bob haircut and a controlling, superior attitude. She frequently complains to store managers and restaurant staff, often has multiple children underfoot and may even be an anti-vaxxer.
