question "Karen" is now a derogatory term for entitled white women. Since when?

[WhoaDomain.com]

I'm usually the hip and current one in the room among my friends. Every new term I catch most times.

But I'm embarrassed to say I missed the repurposing of the name "Karen" into a derogatory term for privileged entitled white women. Lol

Since when?

Just Google "Karen meaning" for explanation.

Interestingly.
karen is a member of an indigenous people of eastern Burma (Myanmar) and western Thailand. The language of the Karen, probably Sino-Tibetan.

Also there are 46,105 domains with the keyword Karen.

Anyone ever heard of this repurposing of the name Karen.

Curious to know who started this.

Similar to OkBoomer.com coined by some kid.

 

[bmugford]

I just find that we now live in a society where we're too eager to destroy people's lives. "They deserve what they get" has become too common of a refrain.

You don't cure hate and ignorance with more of the same.

You also don't cure hate and ignorance if there is no accountability for your (negative) actions.

I see both sides on this.

Some people are just assholes in life. Up until the modern era they have largely been able to be that way with limited accountability. With the internet and social media it certainly can shine light on that behavior.

They can learn that there are ramifications for their actions.

At the same time, having every moment of your life potentially being recorded for people on the internet to see is not really a positive. Once that is online, it is there for good.

There are many people's lives who have been damaged via videos that they did not intend to release. The Star Wars kid meme for example.

This is a good documentary on the subject - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnebago_Man

I really have kind of a dim view on social media and it's impact on society in general. It is way too easy to spread misinformation and other damaging nonsense. You have kids now subject to 24/7 cyber bullying.

Brad

 

[Way3]

Did it help his case that he posted it to YouTube so that it could go viral and ruin a woman's life?

I'm not saying there shouldn't be repercussions for offensive or threatening behaviour. All I'm saying is that, as a society, we all need a crash course on human decency, taking the high road, and how to de-escalate.

If you feel like you're being threatened, and need proof, record away. But as soon as you post it online for all to see, your motives have become something else, and in my eyes they are equally as bad as the original offenders.

She put his very being in danger, and he did absolutely nothing wrong - she did. Why are you even advocating for that? If her life is ruined, she made her own bed. That situation was nothing short of ridiculous. She wasn't the victim. Full stop.

 

[HotKey]

"Karen" is now a derogatory term for entitled white women. Since when?

Since media outlets decided to give it credence. Since social outlets decided to make it a talking point. Since Since we decided to create threads about it. Since reactions are now uproars that speak for everyone.

But, not everyone is on board with this nonsense, not even close. I think "bullying" has taken a whole new role, the schoolyard is a whole lot bigger, and the bullies a whole lot louder. So much for wearing pink.

The World of Internet: Guess we got a bit in over our heads, huh? I liked it more in the 90's, when those of us online were considered "geeks". Oh, did you hear. They are removing the terms master/slave in computing terminology.. because it totally clouded my upbringing in terms of understanding the difference between hard drives and humans.

 

[sansmidman]

We are tribal. We have been stuck at a tribal for a long time and it has to be maintained by constant reminders of how different they are from other tribes. Team vs Team. So we use names/titles/clothing/uniform/titles within titles/anything we can use to identify who we stand against and who we stand with.

In the case of the "Karen" Tribe, it is one we use to feel moral superiority over an inferior tribe that is the karens.

We like to pretend we are special. We are a little bit more complicated versions of chimpanzees waging war over neighboring clans.

 

[Keith]

Bought Karen.tv today. First name with lots of buzz? I’ll take it!

 

[The Durfer]

it's bullying the name, that's all.

 

[Way3]

There are whole YouTube channels devoted to this term.

I'm always left scratching my head because I find that the person pulling out their phone to record someone in a weak moment is just as offensive. Maybe more so.

To label offensive, often threatening or illegal behavior, as weak moments is a stretch

Also, if they weren't filming it we'd still be in denial as a society

 

[Rammbo]

I’m sorry but I don’t think the person being recorded is the victim. I think now days it’s necessary to record something because if you don’t have proof you up s*** creek without a paddle

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

i agree, there aint nothing on earth that doesnt have a clause of why we are enjoying it or disliking it.

The way I see it any one of us can become a victim of this "beast" we call media and social media.

If your "Screw up" or momentary lapse in judgement can "sell papers" and even if it wasn't "that bad" the media's ultimate purpose is to "Sell papers".

Granted many of the stuff the "papers" write about are genuinely "BAD".

I'm just saying if it's a "slow news week" and if you piss off someone these days you can be on the wrong end of this "machine".

and let's be clear this is a "machine" a "beast" and once it's loose it can have a mind of it's own.

If it reaches the deepest and darkest corners of "crazy" on the internet you will get trolled and attacked.

So even if people like "Karen" act up I try not to jump on the Mob band wagon and throw potatoes and rotten eggs like they did during ancient times.

Because there is no guarantee that one day we won't be between the crosshairs of this sort of hate and derogatory criticism.

I respect the rights of people being idiots. After all this is the point of Freedom. We have to put up with idiots because they can be free to be idiots.

Lest we become the Uyghurs in Xinjiang China where 5 million of which are in concentration camps. I mean "re-education" camps in China.

 

[bmugford]

I am not sure how you have not heard of this term yet. It has been used for quite a while now on everything from news stories to internet forums.

The usage has really ramped up in the last few months. Aka uses like "Central Park Karen".

Brad

 

[JB Lions]

There is even this, they made it so it says Caren/Karen - Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies Act

CAREN Act introduced in San Francisco to outlaw racially motivated 911 calls

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/caren-act-san-francisco-racially-motivated-911-calls-karen/

 

[gilescoley]

This has been around for ages, you cant go on FB without seeing a "Karen"

 

[Way3]

If you call out a bully for being a bully, does that make you a bully...?

 

[HotKey]

There are whole YouTube channels devoted to this term.

I'm always left scratching my head because I find that the person pulling out their phone to record someone in a weak moment is just as offensive. Maybe more so.

I agree. Not to justify by any means her intent in her reaction, because it was horrible. But I don't understand why no one see's the victimization of those whom are subjected to being recorded without permission.. in a stranger's phone no less! We think we have a right to use recording devices just because we have them!

Even though we may be in public spaces, we still have a right to our privacy within the sort of private "bubble" we've created for ourselves within that public space, no?

I bring my dog to places.. find a spot where there's no one around to play a bit of fetch with her. Pardon me, but you're going to bring a camera around to record me, sure as heck might trigger me.

 

[Joe N]

That remains to be seen, but if the NY bird watcher hadn't made a film, he might very well have ended up in jail or worse - so the fact that didn't happen in this case is much better imo, yes

Did it help his case that he posted it to YouTube so that it could go viral and ruin a woman's life?

I'm not saying there shouldn't be repercussions for offensive or threatening behaviour. All I'm saying is that, as a society, we all need a crash course on human decency, taking the high road, and how to de-escalate.

If you feel like you're being threatened, and need proof, record away. But as soon as you post it online for all to see, your motives have become something else, and in my eyes they are equally as bad as the original offenders.

 

[Rammbo]

Therein lies the trap. Now all of society gets to be judge and jury of a person's entire life and personality based on one recorded interaction with no context.

Ahhh technology.

A lot ppl have two faces. I think it’s good they recording them and exposing them. They need to be exposed. If they lose they job then that’s good for them . Maybe next time they will think before they act. I mean Central Park Karen knew tht her calling police and lying could potentially end bad for guy because he was Black. Screw her job tht could have cost him his life and she knew that . Why do you think she specifically said “ and I’m gonna tell them your an African American Male?” That’s self explanatory and you want to worry about her job. .... And Karen ain’t a racist term . If you say Karen is a racist term you might as well say Felicia is a racist term ( bye Felicia)?

 

[HotKey]

A "private bubble" can't exist in a public park, that's an oxymoron. And I hope you don't mean you'd be triggered to file a false police report of harassment when someone asks you to respect the parks rules...?

Get to know me from around the forum, clean up your assumptions. Thanks.

Regarding private bubbles in public spaces, it is totally a real thing, and created every day, whether by lovers kissing at a beautiful water fountain, a family enjoying a picnic under a shady tree or friends playing Frisbee. Just because you see us, doesn't mean you can't respect our privacy.

 

[TheBaldOne]

Karen doesn't have to be a white woman. For general usage, it could just be a female who complains a lot or gives people a hard time.

Previously the term was 'Mother-in-laws', we all have them, no matter what colour or race or whatever you are.

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

I am not sure how you have not heard of this term yet. It has been used for quite a while now on everything from news stories to internet forums.

The usage has really ramped up in the last few months. Aka uses like "Central Park Karen".

Brad

I'm old Brad. I'm out the loop. Lol teens call me "Sir" now. It's depressing like finding grey hairs in my nose and hair growing out my ears lol

Keep me in the loop Brad! Thanks!

 

[NamePrime]

This is the first time I heard it in this context too. Same with the term "Urban" (in the other Thread.)

 

[bmugford]

There is also Ken, the male equivalent. Aka Costco Ken from recent news.

Brad

 

[equity78]

Before one wonders about new always check Wikipedia and UrbanDictionary. Nowhere close to new, Becky was Karen before Karen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_(slang)

See also

• Becky (slang)
• Chad (slang)
• Kyle (slang)
• Trixie (slang)

 

[Way3]

And YouTube videos of public freak-outs are making things better?

That remains to be seen, but if the NY bird watcher hadn't made a film, he might very well have ended up in jail or worse - so the fact that didn't happen in this case is much better imo, yes

 

[Joe N]

I don’t think it’s a weak moment tht they are having. Definitely not most of the one I seen like l.

Therein lies the trap. Now all of society gets to be judge and jury of a person's entire life and personality based on one recorded interaction with no context.

Ahhh technology.