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Karen is...

How do you feel about the term 'Karen' ?

  • It's an offensive term - we should stop using it.

    Votes: 4 16.7%

  • Nothing wrong with it. Stop being so PC.

    Votes: 18 75.0%

  • It's a common first name. What are we talking about again?

    Votes: 2 8.3%
  • Total voters
    24

phoenix2020

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[Personal perspective: I tend to be ~centric but perhaps a bit left-leaning. I'm not Caucasian.]

I dislike the term 'Karen' aka. white, entitled woman. I can't help but feel that it's an offensive term and the people who use it would be as offended as I am if someone used "Lopez' as a pejorative for Latina women aka "omg she's such a Lopez" or 'Aiysha' for black women aka "check this video of an Aiysha spazzing out at the mall." It bothers me to see it so widely in media, but the fact that it's so widely used makes me wonder if it's me that's missing something or reacting to this inappropriately. On the other hand, prior this post I have expressed these feelings to family and friends who used the term, and they immediately agreed that it's not appropriate. Personally, I prefer 'Karen' to be restored to its former use as a commonly used name for people of many personalities and persuasions, a few of whom I know well and respect greatly. But I suppose I'm open to being convinced otherwise.

So am I nuts or is this a problem?
 
My problem with 'Karen' is that it assumes only women freak out in public. But we know thanks to videos of people like Aaron Schlossberg that's not the case.

But I've seen 'Kevin' used to describe men melting down so I think that takes care of the misogyny issue.

I don't have a problem with either name being used. I do like the rhyming names: BBQ Becky etc.
 
If the glass slipper fits . . . . . . . . . .
 
I think if someone is offended by the term, "being a Karen" there's a good reason for it! They're a Karen!
 
Karen isn't specific to entitled white people, it's just that white Americans are the most entitled group of people on the entire planet.
 
Using the female name Karen for derogatory name-calling purposes is extremely offensive to all the Karens out there. I am personally offended by how people use it for women not named Karen. The only reason to ever use it is you know someone named Karen.
 
Deuce said:
Karen isn't specific to entitled white people, it's just that white Americans are the most entitled group of people on the entire planet.
Click to expand...
and America is the land of the offended

the app, nextdoor, is filled with karens. especially since covid.
they whine about noise in from the bars beside their apartment. and the july 4 fireworks
remind us of the leash laws for our dogs by sending us the text (my lab had a difficult time reading it)
complain about the lack of on-street parking after signing a lease in a parking-free development
yet they recently chose to move into the neighborhood they seem to despise
ocassionally a chad will post, but it is mostly karen
 
“Officious intermeddler” would be more clear, and less prone to charges of sexism.
 
Last edited:

"Karen" is a shortening of "Katherine", which is Greek for "Pure" and comes from the same root as "Catharsis".
<Assuming a catharsis of narcissistic rage and entitlement>
 
lurchadams said:
I think if someone is offended by the term, "being a Karen" there's a good reason for it! They're a Karen!
Click to expand...
You willing to apply that rationale to all the labels put on on people? If the shoe fits,?
 
Blue Donkey said:
Or like me, personally know someone named Karen.
Click to expand...

Same here. I've got a close relative named Karen and she's nothing like what a "Karen" is supposed to be. I'm not going to make a big deal if people use the term, but I'm betting she's not too happy that her name's been turned into a joke, so there's no way I'm going to use it.
 
None of the poll options.

It is pejorative and yet acceptable when accurately applied.

Act like a bitch that's out to harm others unfairly or thru entitlement...there should be consequences.
 

Personally I think any woman can be a Karen, African American/Latina/Asian/Native American, all women can be a Karen and all men can be a "Kevin". The problem is that usually it is white women who go off on others like that. But I do not think it is inherently racial/racist.
 

Creating a widespread term for women behaving in a certain way and then afterwards creating an alternative for men as an afterthought, one that is rarely used and known about, does not take care of the misogyny issue. Especially as Karen is now being used to describe any woman who dares express her thoughts in public without shame.

Ultimately, it's just another way to attack women who dare speak their mind.
 
Nah.
 
Yeah women who speak their mind by calling the police on black people.
 
“Karen” is a nice name. I knew a few.
 
I've never seen it used in that context. The videos I've seen of 'Karen' usually involve someone (and I've seen it applied to men also) whose emotions are out of control and they are targeting a minority or some poor service worker trying to do their job. A public display of entitlement or racism.
 
Allan said:
My problem with 'Karen' is that it assumes only women freak out in public. But we know thanks to videos of people like Aaron Schlossberg that's not the case.
Click to expand...

Actually I have heard the name “Kyle” as the equivalent for entitled and demanding men.

Kyles Memes

A "Kyle" is a stereotype of a young white man who is a heavy consumer of energy drinks, may engage in unwise shenanigans, and is particularly prone to punching holes in walls.
stayhipp.com
 
Deuce said:
Karen isn't specific to entitled white people, it's just that white Americans are the most entitled group of people on the entire planet.
Click to expand...

There's no white Americans on public assistance? No white Americans are homeless? Interesting. Sounds like you think only people of color are poor or have any misfortune.
 
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