Many online users have been calling themselves Karen in recent years. But what does this term actually signify?
Karens tend to be entitled white women who act without thought about the consequences, and they’re often racist as well.
What is a Karen?
Karen has become a ubiquitous term on the internet, describing an inconsiderate group of women. It often gets used to describe white women who engage in aggressive behavior that’s perceived as selfish or racist – such as blocking an open parking space for someone else or screaming at a retail worker for refusing to refund her purchase.
The term “Karen” has been around for some time, but it only recently gained currency as an offensive slang term. Karen has become associated with women who are perceived to be entitled and possessive, often linked to bob-haircuts seen among suburban moms.
Cleve Evans, an expert onomastics at Bellevue University in Nebraska who studies how proper names function in language, noted that using names for stereotypes and insults has been a practice throughout history. For example, using Paddy or Mick as anti-Irish slurs during the 19th century or Guido as an Italian insult today remains common today.
One potential origin for the phrase may come from social media shortenings and abbreviations, as many people use them when sending messages to friends and family. This could explain how Karen became a popular slang term for entitled white women due to its shortened version of their name that’s easily searchable online.
However, it could also be related to a general tendency of people to use words with similar pronunciations, like “Ken,” which means “white man” or “male.” In 2020, this trend helped propel the term’s rise online due to viral videos of white women engaging in self-serving behavior such as blocking open parking spaces for their friends or screaming at store managers when they refused to wear protective masks.
As the coronavirus spread in 2020, some who refused to follow protocol and treated it as a free pass for aggressive behavior reemerged. Examples included white women calling police on Black people in Central Park and pushing to reopen casinos without adhering to social distancing measures despite warnings from health officials.
What is a White Karen?
A White Karen is an individual who exhibits a racist attitude. Her actions often stem from privilege, but she may also be cynical, deceitful and manipulative when using her power to cause harm to others.
It’s an age-old slur, but it has gained acceptance among white people in recent years as part of internet slang to mock stereotypical white behavior. While it has become something of an internet joke, critics have labeled it as misogynistic.
This slang is derived from the Karen word for “eat,” which translates to “to consume.” This ethnic group from Southeast Asia is renowned for their tribal culture and belief systems. Although they had never developed written language themselves, Burmese and Thai scripts helped them communicate with the outside world.
Karens have their own culture and traditions that they use to identify themselves and protect themselves from danger. Traditional Karen beliefs include various taboos for pregnant women as well as special diets designed to keep evil spirits at bay. In addition to these practices, Karens also chew betel nut – a mixture of palm leaves and lime paste which causes their mouths to turn red.
Karen tradition states that pregnant women should abstain from drinking alcohol and attending funerals. Additionally, some women may receive a betel nut necklace or tattoo as protection against evil spirits harming them.
Some Karens believe they can reclaim their ancestry and past glory through the guidance of a spirit-worshiping leader who will grant them supernatural powers. Cults often promise women special clothing or tattoos which shield them from harm and make them impervious to death.
These beliefs and practices are widespread among rural poor communities. The Karens, now dispersed ethnic minorities, face economic hardship and food insecurity due to the Vietnam War which forced many of their homes away. Many sought refuge in Thailand during this period.
What is a Black Karen?
White women who believe their way is the only way are increasingly becoming Karens – those who use tears to get what they want. Unfortunately, this kind of mentality has become all too common on social media platforms like Twitter. It’s the kind of woman who “needs” her way and judges nonwhite people for any perceived slight. It’s the type of attitude Starbucks should stop charging over extra cups of coffee while calling the police on black man for asking her to leash her dog in Central Park; using tears as leverage. Karens seem increasingly common on Karens today.
Karen women used to be seen as subservient and inferior to men, but that has changed in recent years. Many Karen physicians are being celebrated for their bravery in providing healthcare in remote regions, and an increasing number of older women are taking on roles as village leaders.
The Karens are a diverse community with various religious beliefs and practices. Primarily Buddhists and animists, they also have a small Christian population. Most live in rural areas on stilts with thatched roofs in bamboo houses on stilts; sleeping on woven mats for warmth.
Over centuries, Karens have demonstrated supernatural powers. According to traditional stories, they were “born in a river of sand,” with an angelic leader keeping them safe from other ethnic groups’ predators.
Some Karens believe in supernatural powers, leading them to become followers of messianic leaders who promise them special clothing or tattoos that will protect them from harm. They may be given amulets (small metal, stone or clay Buddha images) to ward off evil spirits and protect themselves.
Some communities still adorn them with tattoos, and a bustling Karen arts and crafts industry provides them with a livelihood from their cultural heritage. Additionally, Karens have been active participants in Burma’s resistance movement since the 1960s – fighting for independence since then.
For decades, The Karens have suffered violence and discrimination. Due to forced relocation, crop confiscation and deforestation, many Karens are malnourished; this makes it difficult for them to obtain enough nutrition to sustain their families. As such, access to education and healthcare is essential if Karens want to continue prosper.
What is a Karen in the 21st Century?
Karen has long been a popular baby name in the United States, but its popularity has diminished significantly since the turn of the 21st Century. It currently ranks 831st on Social Security Administration’s list of the top baby names – down 171 places from its ranking in 2019.
Unfortunately, the term “Karen” has become an insult commonly used to denigrate white women who are perceived to be entitled, unreasonable and obnoxious. Its male equivalents include “male-Karen,” “Kyle,” or “Ken.”
Karen is derived from the Danish version of Katherine and it’s an adaptation of the ancient Persian name Karin. Additionally, it’s a modern variant of the Biblical name Keren.
Karens have no universally understood meaning, though it can vary according to culture and language. In Scandinavia, the word means someone who is clean and pure; France uses “Kar” for clearness or transparency; and Armenians associate this name with an ancient family lineage.
Karen has seen a steady decrease in popularity since 1921, but it remained the tenth-most popular girl’s name through 2020 according to the Social Security Administration. In 2020 alone, 325 girls were given this name.
Recently, the term has also been applied to a group of middle-aged white women who are perceived as aggressive and racist. They usually don the stereotypical blonde bob haircut and vent about anything and everything.
People often adopt an entitlement mentality and are blinded by their white privilege. They fail to appreciate or respect others’ viewpoints and opinions, particularly Black and brown people.
In some instances, White people have even called the police on Black people for seemingly innocent reasons. For instance, a White woman recently made a false report that a Black man was threatening her in Central Park.
This behavior is nothing new, yet it has seen a marked uptick in recent years. This has sparked a new law in San Francisco to safeguard against racially exploitative non-emergency calls from police officers.
