the term “karen” has become popular in culture.
according to dictionary.com, “karen is a pejorative slang term for an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and often racist middle-aged white woman who uses her privilege to get her way or police other people’s behaviors. as featured in memes, karen is generally stereotyped as having a blonde bob haircut, asking to speak to retail and restaurant managers to voice complaints or make demands, and being an anti-vaxx , generation x soccer mom. in 2020, karen spread as a label used to call out white women who were captured in viral videos engaging in what are widely seen as racist acts. karen was one of the top trends in 2020.”
the reality is that the term “karen” is simply a racist, anti-female slur. nothing more. nothing less.
how can this assertion be made? simple. as the term “karen” as it has grown in popularity has been used to describe individuals who are no middle-aged white women. i have seen the term “black” karen and “male” karen. thus, there is something more than the individual’s race or sex that makes someone a “karen.”
is the term karen really about people who are “an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and often racist” regardless of their race of sex? is the term really for people who use “privilege to get their way or police other people’s behaviors?” thus, it is not the race or sex that is of import, it is their actions.
boiling it down, is the term “karen” really a commentary or labeling of someone who lacks morals/values and acts in a public arena?
thus, the term “karen” is just another convenient formulation of hated and bigotry. it connotes to the user “white woman” and promotes hatred of white woman.
this is a bad and dangerous trend. for those who doubt, one can easily gather up videos and stories of different racial, sex, nationalities or religions doing horrible things. then, we can assign a tag to it and put it out into social media. this act is stereotyping and promoting hatred and animosity towards a particular community. this is simply wrong.
therefore, i propose the following. just call these problematic people the term “human.” call them obnoxious “humans,” call them “entitled” humans, etc. if we are going to humiliate and stereotype a group, let’s humiliate all of humanity.
the fact that there are some many of these individuals who participate in this behavior, it is an indication that we, as humanity, have to do a better job in teaching morals and values within our society. these individuals are a reflection of our failing. people should be taught to be respectful to other individuals.
thus, it is time to eradicate the term “karen.” it is simple hatred. rather, take the time to label the individual for their “bad acts.” describe them on individual terms rather than stereotyping.
thus, while individuals may take joy in using the term “karen,” in reality they are practicing the same hatred that they are offended by when they see such an individual acting in a racist manner.
be well!!
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