Karens are middle-aged white women with bob haircuts who demand to “speak with the manager”, engaging in racist microaggressions and demanding “to speak to him or her”. They tend to be closed-minded, ignorant, and vocal about their beliefs.
Karens quickly rose to viral stardom in 2020 as videos showing them demanding schools remain open or refusing to wear masks during COVID-19 went viral, along with their use of self-serving excuses like “what about the children” as justification for their self-centered and selfish actions.
What is a ‘Karen’?
Recently, an internet meme has surfaced to identify certain white women deemed “Karens,” due to their entitled behavior. The name Karen has long been associated with middle-aged suburban moms wearing bob haircuts who exhibit this characteristic sense of entitlement; those exhibiting such characteristics have been publicly shamed via social media platforms like Twitter.
From someone calling the police on a black man for bird-watching in Central Park to an anti-vaxxer going viral due to her emotional response when being asked to wear a mask at Costco, there have been plenty of instances in which individuals have been labeled Karens by media reports. Furthermore, this term has come to be applied to anyone who exaggerated an issue or engaged in racist microaggressions during the coronavirus pandemic.
While Karen the Cat meme is widely-spread online, critics contend it reeks of misogyny and promotes misogyny. Furthermore, real-life Karens have been labeled sexist due to a YouTube video which depicts one calling the police on an African American man because he asked her to put her dog on a leash.
Karens have an unfortunate tendency of venting their frustrations on everything, in an effort to feel better about themselves. A recent survey by customer feedback platform Trustpilot explored who were among the top complainers; among these women named Karen were responsible for over 50% of all complaints made.
The study also examined names that were least likely to lead to complaints, finding that John and James names are less likely than Karens to act like Karens. Its author, Jeremy Weller, explained that while he believes it’s essential to call out bad customer service experiences, it is equally crucial not making assumptions based on gender about those responsible.
Karen is a variant of Katherine, one of the top five most popular baby names from 1957 to 1965 when it peaked at #3. Since then it has long been associated with middle-aged women of particular generations; indeed it remained one of five most frequently used girl names until the early 1990s!
What is a ‘Karen’ Trifecta?
Karens are a type of entitled and privileged white women who use their privilege to harass and bully others. The term first made popular online meme culture through viral videos featuring women known as Karens – such as Officer Karen (weeping police officer who accused McDonald’s employee of poisoning her food); “Central Park Karen”, who reported black birdwatcher violating leash laws; or California Karen who reported an 8-year-old selling water without an official permit as examples of Karens.
Karens have long been accused of being targets of racist and sexist comments online, with real-life Karens falling under its scrutiny. Its origins remain controversial but are believed to have originated from black American Internet culture in 2010, popularized by Dane Cook’s 2005 comedy bit “The Friend Nobody Likes.” Over time it has evolved into a form of middle-aged white women mockery.
Concerns remain that using the name Karen to refer to certain white women could have negative social repercussions. By 2020, Karen had become popular as an Internet meme denoting middle-aged white women with short “Speak to the Manager” haircuts and minivans with rhinestones who voice their ignorance and racist beliefs openly. So pervasive has this stereotype become that it now has its own subreddit and Spotify playlist dedicated to it.
“Karen” has taken on new significance during the coronavirus pandemic, becoming shorthand for a vocal minority of middle-aged white women who oppose vaccination or use the virus as an excuse to break civil rights laws. Media attention and criticism have focused on this ‘Karen,” who acts like an aggressive lawnmower parent removing any obstacles or hardships that would prevent her children from succeeding and making things easier for their own. She doesn’t mind preferring her own children over others’ children – she is just another kind of Karen who doesn’t mind favoring her own over other students’ children in her efforts!
What is a ‘Karen’ in the Wild?
Karens in public life are notoriously annoying, entitled, and challenging boomer white women who make public life intolerable for everyone around them, often targeting marginalized communities for their harmful behavior or anyone daring to question or criticize their beliefs or logic. Karens may seem like caricatures; however, they remain real people capable of becoming dangerous at any point in time.
Though its precise origins remain hazy, some believe the term ‘Karen’ first emerged during 2014 through social media memes involving speaking directly to managers. Since then it has spread far and wide, even inspiring merchandise featuring Karen-related designs (shirts, mugs and pillows). Furthermore, its Danish derivation Katherine was among the top five most common baby names until 1965 when its popularity peaked.
Reducing names into slang to identify particular groups has long been part of American culture, such as calling someone ‘dick’ or ‘jerk’; however, there’s an important distinction between making nicknames for someone and using their full name against them as derogatory terms.
Note that using “Karen” as an insult may be hurtful and misogynistic; particularly for people named Karen or who know people with that name.
If you come across Karen in the wild, try to avoid confrontation at all costs by walking away as quickly as possible. If that proves impossible, try delaying confrontation by diverting her attention with something else–an argument about organic almond milk or an exciting sale at an up-market store can distract her enough for some time before an argument ensues.
If you find yourself surrounded by multiple Karens, having a plan of action ready is key. Offering something like free coffee may disarm Karens enough for you to escape. In any event, having friends nearby to help ward off Karens will increase your odds of survival in any volatile encounter.
What is a ‘Karen’ at Work?
Karens are often angry, over-dramatic Gen X white women who complain about everything and demand to speak to their managers. They’re distinguished by a particular bob cut (a side-swept one in front with shorter, spikier locks in back). You might come across them at work – particularly high tech environments – though you might also encounter them in banking, library services or Walmart.
Some may use the term Karen to refer to anyone behaving irrationally or being difficult to deal with, though most commonly white women taking advantage of their privilege and engaging in offensive or counterproductive behaviors are referred to as Karens. Some notable Karens can be found online memes and social media, including Soho Karen, Courtside Karen and Victoria’s Secret Karen.
When dealing with Karens, it’s essential to remain calm and try to understand their viewpoint without becoming emotionally invested or defensive. Keep in mind that most Karens don’t intend to be rude or aggressive – they simply may not realize the impact of their actions on others.
Karens may find it hard to recognize their behaviors as biased or problematic and may not realize they’re stereotyping others. Some Karens may recognize their biases but find it challenging to address them directly in practice. It’s important to remember that not all Karens are equal and that most have valid concerns that need addressing.
Many use the term Karen to mock obnoxious, entitled white women; however, others have adopted it as an effective means to confront sexist attitudes and behaviors in their workplaces and communities. Due to its increased usage, discussions have arisen surrounding whether it is misogynistic to name an entire generational group after someone known for irrational, entitlement, and sexist beliefs – such as Becky or Stacy are alternative terms available – unlike Karen who does not have an equivalent male term in its usage.
