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AIBU?

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Original poster

Surely it’s time to stop using “Karen” as an insult

161 replies

Headabovetheparapets · 13/07/2024 23:04

Is it just me who feels that this use of the name Karen to imply unreasonable/stroppy/mean/spiteful behaviour has become Bullying?
And yes I am called Karen🤗 but whenever I see the name, along with Kevin, Sharon or Nigel used to describe ‘bad’ or ‘typical’ behaviour I feel rather sad.
I don’t think I’m generally difficult, to be honest I’m too lazy🤣🤣 & a big fan of live & let live. So the frequent references to ‘ Karen’ being nasty/mean/horrible are hard to hear & each time I do that sadness grows & I step that little bit further away to protect me.
so

AIBU it’s just a joke get over it
YANBU it is hard to constantly hear that your name means you’re mean

Somewhat lighthearted but writing this out makes me realise it really does hurt.

OP posts:
AllPrincessAnneshorses · 14/07/2024 15:57

Hedgeoffressian · 13/07/2024 23:26

I’ve seen the term used by plenty of men on Facebook and it’s always been directed towards older white women.

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Besides the fact that women can be misogynistic too.

NotTerfNorCis · 14/07/2024 15:56

the person who is on the receiving end

Problem is that people called Karen are now 'on the receiving end' of mockery and insults to the point that some are changing their names.

And women in general are 'on the receiving end' of what's become a generalised sexist put down.

Especiallymoist · 14/07/2024 15:55

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Tagyoureit · 14/07/2024 15:54

I agree Karen shouldn't be used as an insult when the word twat will suffice

NotTerfNorCis · 14/07/2024 15:52

Opinionwontchangeluv · 14/07/2024 15:18

Usually it's graham, brad or Tyrone

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Yeah. Go to Twitter, search for 'kevin'. Zero examples of it being used as an insult. Then search for Karen. You'll see your difference.

HRTQueen · 14/07/2024 15:51

But it’s not just a misogynistic term but it might be for you

but to many people it’s a word that has been used to call out particular type of underhand racist behaviour

who is to decide what terms can be used to call out racism no one but the person who is on the receiving end

Topoftheflops · 14/07/2024 15:44

It's a lovely name and yes YANBU.
It needs to stop. I overheard a neighbour's child say "and she has a Karen haircut" I winced.

wtfissummer · 14/07/2024 15:30

@jamaftercream Where have I said the feelings of victims of racism don't matter?

If you use the term Karen then you're rightly judged and called out as it's a misogynistic and ageist slur.

How is that saying your feelings don't matter?

jamaftercream · 14/07/2024 15:21

HRTQueen · 14/07/2024 11:00

Are you really telling someone who experiences racism how to call out racism

oh my you couldn’t make this up …

Thank you. Beggars belief doesn’t it. The feelings of the victim of racism matter not.

Especiallymoist · 14/07/2024 15:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Previously banned poster.

Opinionwontchangeluv · 14/07/2024 15:18

saraclara · 14/07/2024 12:46

I have never come across Kevin being used that way. I see Karen in the media every sodding day

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Usually it's graham, brad or Tyrone

Opinionwontchangeluv · 14/07/2024 15:15

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

wtfissummer · 14/07/2024 14:52

HRTQueen · 14/07/2024 11:00

Are you really telling someone who experiences racism how to call out racism

oh my you couldn’t make this up …

Couldn't make what up? How ridiculous

The pp uses "Karen" to call out racism

That doesn't give her a free pass to use an ageist and misogynistic slur.

cupcaske123 · 14/07/2024 13:40

Thatsthebottomline · 14/07/2024 13:38

Ah, so it’s OK to do it to men. Thanks for clearing that up

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No problem Kev.

Thatsthebottomline · 14/07/2024 13:38

cupcaske123 · 14/07/2024 13:35

I've never heard of Kevin being used against a man. Do you think that given the thousands of years of patriarchy, daily gender based violence and abuse women suffer for existing, never mind having an opinion, that being called Kevin holds equivalence?

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Ah, so it’s OK to do it to men. Thanks for clearing that up

cupcaske123 · 14/07/2024 13:35

Thatsthebottomline · 14/07/2024 13:03

As a Kevin myself, i beg to differ.

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I've never heard of Kevin being used against a man. Do you think that given the thousands of years of patriarchy, daily gender based violence and abuse women suffer for existing, never mind having an opinion, that being called Kevin holds equivalence?

jamaftercream · 14/07/2024 13:31

wtfissummer · 14/07/2024 10:37

@jamaftercream So if you're experiencing racism then call the perpetrators racists.

Your use of "Karen" doesn't give you the moral high ground you think it does

I’ll maybe take your advice when white people stop watching and doing nothing when a racist attacks me.

Thatsthebottomline · 14/07/2024 13:03

saraclara · 14/07/2024 12:46

I have never come across Kevin being used that way. I see Karen in the media every sodding day

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As a Kevin myself, i beg to differ.

saraclara · 14/07/2024 12:46

Thatsthebottomline · 14/07/2024 12:44

I expect the male equivalent which is “Kevin’ is absolutely fine and has nothing to do with “silencing men”.

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I have never come across Kevin being used that way. I see Karen in the media every sodding day

Skinglow · 14/07/2024 12:46

I was pleased to see that MNHQ deleted 'Karen' on a thread yesterday. Everyone just needs to report any post that uses it. As well as calling it out on the thread.

Thatsthebottomline · 14/07/2024 12:44

ChoccieCornflake · 13/07/2024 23:09

It's a misogynistic insult used mostly to silence women. It's absolutely time that people got called out for using it

I expect the male equivalent which is “Kevin’ is absolutely fine and has nothing to do with “silencing men”.

Arconialiving · 14/07/2024 12:37

ChoccieCornflake · 13/07/2024 23:09

It's a misogynistic insult used mostly to silence women. It's absolutely time that people got called out for using it

First response nails it as is often the case!

JustNeedSomeSupportRightNow · 14/07/2024 12:33

Yeah I hate it. Can’t imagine how shit I’d feel if people started using my name as an insult.
Not acceptable at all.

cloudy477654 · 14/07/2024 12:27

Yes I hate it, as a woman in my 40s I hate that it's used to dismiss the opinions of older women

cupcaske123 · 14/07/2024 12:06

JennyBeanR · 14/07/2024 12:02

As long as big pop stars use it (looking at you Beyonce), I think unfortunately it will continue to be around.
It's horribly misogynistic and I'm horrified at the amount of women who join in and use it.

It's just a recent addition to all the misogynistic slurs to direct at women, there are so many of them. There's a lot of internalised misogyny oiling the wheels of the patriarchy.

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