Since Karen became the latest viral video trend during quarantine, much has changed. There’s now increased scrutiny surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and national conversations about race and police brutality.
Many of these videos have been condemned as racist. But what has been the social media response to them? And does this reflect upon the overall climate of racial inequality in America?
Why Do We See More Karen Videos Than Ken Videos?
The internet has become inundated with racist Karen videos of white women inciting anger, confrontation and violence against people of color. These videos often garner millions of views online as a reminder that the stereotype of Karen originates in real-world racism and has no place in our modern society.
Social media users have been quick to react to these videos, as they represent an all-too-common form of discrimination in America. Not only has racial discrimination been linked to these videos, but also classism and gender inequity have been noted as root causes.
In one particularly shocking example of the Karen phenomenon, a woman who had been labeled racist by her neighbors took matters into her own hands. She recorded herself pointing a gun at Black Lives Matter protesters, calling the police on a Black birder and threatening a man’s dog with it.
These incidents are all deeply troubling, yet they’re not the only ones to have gone viral in recent months. Recently, we’ve witnessed a new type of Karen that’s becoming an internet sensation: Coronavirus Karen.
Karen the Karen who refuses to wear face coverings in stores and disregarded quarantine orders is one example of white supremacy that’s become increasingly popular on social media since the coronavirus arrived in the US and caused an unprecedented number of deaths. This attitude, known as anti-white supremacy, has spread like wildfire through online communities.
Some of these rude Karens make their way onto YouTube’s list of most viral videos. One recent rant from a Canadian Karen was about scraping off social distancing stickers at a drugstore to gain attention; she then sang about “scraping for justice, freedom and love” with those same obnoxious syllables in song form.
Other racist Karen videos have also become viral sensations on social media. One woman recorded herself ordering a store employee to leave and asking their manager to speak with her about something she wasn’t satisfied with.
What Is the Root of the Problem?
If you’re trying to solve a problem but not sure of its source, chances are your solution won’t work. One way to identify what’s causing your issue is through root cause analysis – uncovering what caused it from start to finish.
Peeling back layers to identify where a system has failed or didn’t function optimally. Examine procedures, policies, human capital, place, equipment and methods to get an overview of what’s going on.
It is essential to recognize that the solution to a problem doesn’t just involve treating its symptoms. In order to truly address an issue, you must identify its underlying cause and then take steps towards correction.
One way to identify the root of the issue is by asking “but why?”. For instance, if truancy rates in your school are increasing, ask why more students than ever before are missing school.
Utilizing this technique will enable you to recognize the most straightforward solution, and even whether it is achievable. It has become a staple for many organizations as an effective way of solving problems quickly and efficiently.
Are you searching for an innovative and exciting solution to your problems? Consider trying the “5 Whys” method. It is an ideal way of pinpointing the root cause of any issue while saving both time and money! The more often you utilize this approach, the better equipped you’ll become at resolving them.
Are Karens Angrier Than Kens?
Karen” videos featuring white women losing their cool in stores, airports and on airplanes have become a social media sensation. From screaming at people to demanding that they wear face masks or calling the police on peaceful protesters, Karens have made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Karens have been roundly criticised for being sexist, with real-life Karens often being the target of angry comments. But what exactly causes these people to become so intolerant?
Some have pointed to the sex-based culture of shopping and online trolls as the cause. But there’s another factor at work here too.
Many of the most popular Karen videos on social media are shot in clothing stores and supermarkets, where women still dominate more than men. There, employees often shout at them for breaking arbitrary rules that don’t apply to men or other non-white shoppers such as asking them to wear masks.
One of the primary shortcomings of these viral videos is that they often don’t accurately reflect racial power dynamics. It can be difficult to tell if women are angry because they believe they deserve respect or just frustrated about not having enough money for clothes.
These women may be feeling depressed due to the economic climate, having lost their jobs or believing the government is treating them unfairly. Many also appear insecure about themselves in society due to a sense of being left behind.
These Karens become frustrated and angry when they don’t receive what they deserve. But the more enraged they become, the more agitated they become – which could lead to harmful or even deadly behaviors.
What is the Solution?
Over the past year, social media has been filled with videos of racist Karens. Whether they’re throwing an angry fit in public because someone isn’t following their racialized rules or calling the police on Black people for minor offenses, these racially charged incidents are becoming more frequent occurrences.
The issue with these videos is that they’re often shot on cell phones and shared across various social media platforms like YouTube or SnapTok. This makes it easy for them to go viral, especially when they contain disturbing racialized language or behaviors unrelated to their subject matter.
Over the last few months, this trend has only intensified as more people became aware of both the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing racial protest movements in 2020. At a time when white privilege is at an all-time high, white women have been more than willing to act out their racism and classism against such a national catastrophe.
In the case of the Covid-19 pandemic, this has resulted in a new form of Karen that has emerged online. This Karen doesn’t wear masks, refuses to follow quarantine protocols, and believes that all is well with civilization. It is an instance of what has become known as “The Entitled Karen,” an influencer within American culture for decades now.
These entitlement issues aren’t exclusive to the Covid-19 pandemic; they’re also prevalent within Black Lives Matter protest movements, where White Karens frequently call the cops on unarmed Black protesters without cause.
As a result, social media reactions to racist Karen videos have been mixed. There’s often anger, disgust and disbelief that such behavior could occur; yet also an understanding that racism and classism are deeply embedded in our society.
The solution to the racist Karen video issue lies in exposing those responsible and their actions for what they are: white privilege and racism. Only then will we see these Karens and Kens change their ways. It’s a process that will take time, but one which is essential for our continued progress as a society.
