Karens have long been a fixture of pop culture, from Mean Girls to Barbecue Becky. These arrogant white women typically expect special treatment from society and possess arcane views about life that limit what others can think or say about them.
Karens have become well known for their “speak to the manager” haircut and disregard for other’s needs, often seen during pandemics of coronavirus infection; further amplified by social media.
1. Carolyn Bryant
Karens have made waves on social media over recent years, being used to refer to white women who appear entitled and annoying. With questionable haircuts and an affinity for bullying retail workers or restaurant workers in any way they see fit; as well as demanding that their privilege be upheld regardless of circumstances – often throwing public tantrums that announce demands with loud shout-outs; also known for reporting neighbors for not following Covid-19 quarantine laws or mask requirements.
Racial undertones in the term are disturbing, particularly as we witness more examples of terrible Karen behavior – such as Amy Cooper’s Central Park incident where she falsely called police on an African American who was simply leashing his dog and acting to endanger his life by misusing police power because of race. Amy Cooper is an example of an abusive Karen because not only do her demands put others in danger; her actions also put the police force in their corner. She can be classified as dangerous because not only are demands made but risks are willingly placed.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has led to an explosion in Karens. Many can be seen on viral videos showing them shouting at employees and complaining they’re performing incorrectly; many also request speaking with managers and have behavior which has been described as both arrogant and entitled.
At the peak of the pandemic, Karens demonstrated some of their worst behavior by refusing to quarantine or wear masks in public, calling police on neighbors not adhering to Covid-19 rules and even reporting them for writing “Black Lives Matter” using chalk on their property! These women were widely reported online.
While some have criticised the Karen meme as being both sexist and racist, its significance cannot be denied. If anything, this phenomenon has shown us the extent of violence committed against people of color; therefore it’s imperative that we learn how to identify such behaviors when they arise so we can work together towards stopping them.
2. Emmett Till
Karen is not a new stereotype, yet has become more sinister as time has gone on. Recent incidents involving Karen calling police on people of color for “illegal” activities or simply asking them to leash their dog has thrust this meme into public view and reinforced the perception of Karens as racists; some even weaponizing 911 calls against people of color to target them specifically – no matter the context – nor should people find amusement in them calling the cops on people of color; it should never be amusing when those calls could result in death – which is why it’s essential that such behavior should be called out whenever it originates from women identifying as Karens themselves – especially when coming from women who identify as Karens themselves!
The Karen meme has awakened a new generation to history and to its racist stereotypes associated with it, as well as to systemic racism and its need to be addressed. It may also reflect current political climate where divisions on racial and social issues are becoming more apparent.
Modern definition of Karen: An aggressive middle-class white woman who believes strongly both in Jesus and pseudoscience. Karens write divisive Facebook posts, are anti-vaxxers and frequently look down upon immigrants or people of color. Additionally, Karens are notorious for reporting back about Black kids’ lemonade stands or people coughing in public spaces.
One such racially charged Karen incident was the murder of Emmett Till in 1955, which was blamed on an accusation made against him by Carolyn Bryant and which became one of the major catalysts behind the Civil Rights Movement. Their deaths resulted from a biased police investigation.
Following the death of Emmett Till, police violence against Black people escalated exponentially and was routine. Thus it should come as no surprise that Karen would meet such widespread resistance; we must be wary not to trivialize her by continuing to make fun of her.
3. Amy Cooper
Chances are, you have heard the term “Karen,” an insult often used to refer to demanding and entitled white women. While initially popularized during COVID-19 pandemic as meme, following George Floyd’s police killing and subsequent national discussion about police brutality it now takes on new meaning and has taken on more sinister connotations.
Central Park Karen recently made headlines when she called police on a bird-watcher last year, sparking widespread outrage at police brutality nationwide. Cooper became synonymous with this archetype as quickly as his case went viral, creating widespread coverage.
As the story spread, people began pointing out other examples of Karen behavior online. Soon enough, names like Soho Karen, Courtside Karen and Victoria’s Secret Karen emerged online as well as speculation over its use being either sexist or potentially opening someone up to doxxing and harassment.
No matter your opinion of the Karen meme, it is undeniable that many Karens have a longstanding history of racism and violent behavior. Many display an arrogant superiority mindset that puts their own interests above those around them, with potentially lethal results. Their privilege enables them to dismiss evidence contrary to their account of events.
The rise of Karen is deeply troubling, particularly considering America’s long and sordid history of racially motivated violence. Even when she doesn’t physically threaten or harm Black and brown people, Karens still exploit their fears and anxieties for personal gain – it seems the current generation of Karens have not learned from past missteps such as Carolyn Bryant Donham who falsely accused Emmett Till of offending her, leading directly to his brutal execution by mob lynching. They use their privilege to justify harassing and threatening people different than themselves, normalizing such behavior over time.
4. The Black Lives Matter Movement
Karen has long been used as a shorthand for someone who is rude and entitled, yet in recent years it’s become a cultural phenomenon thanks to COVID-19 pandemic and wider discussions on race, racism, police violence and social privilege. Over time this meme evolved specifically targeting white women who used their privilege to publicly shame neighbors for minor inconveniences; creating names such as Barbecue Becky, Golf Cart Gail Permit Patty or Talkback Tammy – these women share one thing in common – they all seem closed-minded – often wealthy white females who don’t understand complexity of what they do or their motives behind doing these acts.
Deliberate acts of racism often go undetected by individuals in society; that’s why it’s essential that Black Lives Matter be vigilant about exposing Karen behavior when seen, to raise awareness in communities about what’s at stake.
This year, the concept of Karens became even more prominent as videos showed people refusing to wear masks during COVID-19 quarantine, or engaging in overtly racist behavior – thus giving rise to a strong Karen meme with some stories even making national news and going viral.
Examples include Cooper calling the police on a Black man birdwatching in Central Park or viral footage showing a woman venting about being told by Gelson’s store manager that she must wear a mask; more of these videos soon surfaced showing some white people positioning themselves as anti-Karens.
Note that these incidents involve more than just one individual; rather, they involve an entire group of white people who believe they have the right to dictate how others should act and impose rules upon them. Such behavior not only creates a nuisance but can encourage racist and discriminatory acts from others as well.
However, to successfully stop such behaviors is to challenge their underlying norms that facilitate such actions – which will be much harder than simply punishing those responsible.
