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Discussion » Questions » Current Events and News » It has become a thing to use the name "Karen" as a racial stereotype. Why do people think that's OK?

It has become a thing to use the name "Karen" as a racial stereotype. Why do people think that's OK?

In addition to being racist, it's offensive to women named Karen and those who love and/or are friends with them. Why is it any more OK to offend these people than to offend those who the stereotypical Karen offends?

Posted - May 4, 2021

Responses


  • 44231
    The name 'Karen' is reserved for white women who show 'Karen' behavior. How is that racist?
      May 4, 2021 4:09 PM MDT
    4

  • 13260
    How is it not racist and offensive? It's singling out and painting white women and the name Karen with a broad brush, implying that white women named Karen are all the same.
      May 4, 2021 4:15 PM MDT
    1

  • 44231
    It was a name chosen for white women who show and do socially unacceptable things. Many common names could have been used.
      May 4, 2021 4:21 PM MDT
    1

  • 13260
    Which makes it a racial and behavioral stereotype, offensive to women named Karen who don't behave that way.
      May 4, 2021 5:29 PM MDT
    2

  • 32701
    I don't see the racial part.  Sexist sure. But Karens are not just white.  They are just a pushy female customer. 
      May 5, 2021 8:13 AM MDT
    3

  • 32701
    So a black woman cannot be a "Karen"? 
      May 4, 2021 5:20 PM MDT
    3

  • 10049
    It is unfortunate. I know a Karen who is a stereotypical "Karen" and one who most definitely isn't. It seems the one who is a "Karen" is highly offended and the other one laughs about it. 

    Would be better just to call people who act like a$$holes, a$$holes, but people get offended by that word, too. 

    How about nincompoop? 
      May 4, 2021 8:05 PM MDT
    4

  • Anyone can be a Karen; it isn't a racial term.

    As for the choice of name, that's just the luck of the draw. Like Chad or Tiffany or other names that have stereotypes associated with them.
      May 4, 2021 10:39 PM MDT
    6

  • 44231
    Don't forget Biff and Muffy.
      May 5, 2021 7:53 AM MDT
    1

  • 16256
    Karens are entitled brats, full of self-importance and always want the manager. Not necessarily white and not all white women are like that, even the ones named Karen.

    However, if they have THIS haircut, duck.


    This post was edited by Slartibartfast at May 5, 2021 7:54 PM MDT
      May 5, 2021 12:59 AM MDT
    4

  • 44231
    I clean a tennis club and half of the women there look like that. Imagine a room full of them.
      May 5, 2021 7:55 AM MDT
    4

  • 2706
    Many in society make and perpetuate stereotypes, which often lead to discrimination and persecution when stereotypes are unfavorable. I ask, why even do it, to begin with?
      May 5, 2021 6:39 AM MDT
    3