Memes have become a ubiquitous part of online culture, and they can be an effective way to help people manage stressful situations. Unfortunately, some of today’s most popular slang terms have become too derogatory to be used as meaningful ways of expressing feelings.
This is especially evident in the Karen meme, which depicts a middle-aged white woman sporting an “I need to speak to the manager” haircut and exuding entitlement.
Origins
Karen has become a byword for middle-aged white women who are seen to be entitled and rude. These individuals tend to react in kind, yet often act out of spite or outright disrespect towards others.
According to Know Your Meme, the Karen Meme started as a joke on Reddit in 2014. It quickly spread throughout the web and produced images such as a blonde woman with an asymmetrical haircut asking to speak with her manager.
No doubt, these memes have gained notoriety despite their unsavory reputation. Many have voiced their opposition to using Karen as a slur due to its misogynistic nature and discriminatory class prejudice.
Though its exact origin remains uncertain, some have suggested it is inspired by Amanda Seyfried’s character “Karen” from Mean Girls or Dane Cook’s 2005 sketch “The Friend Nobody Likes.” Others speculate it started as a Reddit joke or commentary on Karen Gosselin and her ex-husband Jon’s contentious relationship.
Apryl Williams, a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, emphasizes the significance of contextualizing online comments before making judgments. According to Apryl Williams, using “Karen” is often used by some to derogatorily refer to middle-aged white women who are perceived as entitled, obnoxious and rude according to Apryl.
She emphasizes that the Karen slur isn’t just about whiteness, but also privilege. Middle-aged white women often treat Black people in service roles as if they own them, according to She.
Karen slurs have been around for years, but it has only recently gained widespread acceptance due to the proliferation of social media and people’s ability to express their thoughts publicly.
Meaning
Karen has become a commonly-used term to refer to middle-class white women who utilize their privilege to oppress non-white people. From calling the cops on black birders in Central Park to asking Starbucks employees for permission to enter stores without wearing masks, Karen serves as an epithet that describes such oppressive behavior.
The name was first coined by a Redditor who started a subreddit two years ago. He began posting humorously bitter invectives about his ex-wife, leading to the eventual designation of it after her.
According to his account on the subreddit, he began using the nickname “Karen” in his posts when he felt frustrated with the lack of progress in his relationship with his ex. That is, he was angry that she wasn’t taking responsibility for her actions.
Eventually, the Redditor’s posts became so popular that he created a dedicated subreddit for “Karen”. Now, r/FuckYouKaren is an immensely popular forum with thousands of replies.
Many comments on the forum deal with retaliation. One common complaint is that Karen’s tendency to ask managers for assistance in solving minor problems poses a high risk of retaliation; if an employee voices her grievances and the company ignores them, they might view “Karen” as an avenue for revenge.
While the origins of the “Karen” meme remain uncertain, Attiah believes it to be a product of black American internet culture. She noted that using names and code words to indicate unreasonable behavior has been an established part of black American online communication for some time now.
References
Since 2017, the Karen meme has grown in popularity. It has become a universal representation of a self-righteous white woman who doesn’t give a damn about others’ feelings.
In December 2017, a subreddit dedicated to mocking Karen the fictional character took off. Aptly named Fuck_You_Karen after one user’s angry rant, the forum quickly gained more than 1,000 subscribers who made numerous “Fuck You” memes based on the original post.
As the Karen meme has evolved over time, it’s become a catchall phrase for various stereotypes and racial epithets that have been criticised as sexist.
Karen may be used in many different contexts, but its roots lie within African American street slang and culture. Terms like “Miss Ann” or “Mister Charlie” were once popular ways of demarcating arrogant white people who held feelings of superiority toward Black people.
These names became widely popularized during the 19th century, an era of oppression and segregation. The Karen meme serves to illustrate how these terms have returned as epithets to describe white people who privilege their race and class over others.
Recent infamous Karens, such as Central Park Karen and Barbecue Becky, were captured on video and shared online. These incidents serve to remind us that we still need to bridge our racial divides even though there are efforts being made towards doing so.
Karen memes have gained popularity on the internet, but could potentially cause legal problems if they made their way into the workplace. When employees feel pressured into speaking to a manager about seemingly insignificant matters, this can be seen as an attack on their credibility – potentially leading to legal action.
Etymology
The etymology of words is an intriguing subject to explore, and it can provide valuable insight into a word’s meaning. For instance, etymologists know the Latin roots of con- and dis-, signifying “togetherness” and “apartness,” respectively; they also explain why certain sounds sound certain ways.
The Karen Meme is a popular slang term for an annoying middle-aged white woman with a minivan, rhinestone belt buckle and “speak to the manager” haircut, among other stereotypes. Though its origins are multiple, its most iconic use comes from Reddit.
A redditor known for posting amusingly bitter invectives about his ex-wife created the popular subreddit, r/FuckYouKaren, which quickly blossomed into an expansive community. Eventually it evolved into a Karen meme hub and birthed the “Karencore” trend – a slang term for items like rhinestones and “Live, Laugh, Love” posters.
In 2020, the Karen Meme has become increasingly widespread, spreading across social media and into real life. This has caused anger among activists who see it as an exploitative method to exploit systemic racism. It’s especially prevalent during times of epidemic racism and protests for racial justice where white women who engage in behavior that has been condemned as privileged and racist are shamed as “Karens”.
Karens have also been accused of abusing their privilege to disregard the struggles of people of color and focus on themselves instead. An example is the Wall of Moms bloc formed at recent Portland protests, consisting largely of middle class white women.
Definition
Recently, the term “Karen” has become increasingly common on social media and it has been interpreted to refer to middle-class white women who exhibit behaviors indicative of privilege. Examples include demanding to speak directly to a manager at work, refusing face coverings and opposing vaccination.
Apryl Williams, a faculty associate at Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, notes that the term has come to symbolize casual racism and privilege. She cites examples such as Officer Karen in Georgia who worried her breakfast sandwich had been poisoned; Central Park Karen who called police when a black person asked her to leash their dog; and California Karen who reported an 8-year-old selling bottled water without a permit on the street.
However, some have highlighted how “Karen” can also be used in a positive context. Attorney and software freedom advocate Karen Sandler for instance uses the term as a reminder to be more considerate of others.
As with many memes, the Karen Meme Over Time has had an interesting evolution. While it remains uncertain when it first appeared on social media, some speculate it was in the 2000s and symbolizes middle-aged white women’s growing popularity on these platforms.
Karens often use the name to reaffirm a sense of belonging or normalize racist and discriminatory behaviors. Additionally, the name itself symbolizes womanhood; women’s rights activists often use it as an act of solidarity with fellow Karens.
However, the term “Karen” can present serious retaliation concerns in the workplace. It’s essential to remember that any use of this word may be seen as discrimination under federal and state laws; thus, employers should take steps to minimize exposure to lawsuits alleging harassment or discrimination based on protected characteristics.
