Central Park Karen

[CanIPleaseHaveOne]

Did anyone come across this? It is really worth listening to.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-story-of-the-central-park-karen/id1570872415?i=1000530855326

We can't escape the use of "Karen" here because it's in the title of the podcast.🤷‍♀️ The podcast where Amy Cooper tells us she is not racist, didn't really do anything wrong and is the real victim here if you actually think about it.🙄

This again? Honestly, I swear it's Amy Cooper, she's a mumsnetter.

@MythicalBiologicalFennel The OP is literally referencing the name of the podcast, she’s not personally using the term Karen as an insult.

Isn't the male version a 'gammon'?

I think it should be a Dave, like in The Book of Dave.

Anyway. OP I hope you realise that using a normal name as an insult does affect how you come across and whether people will devote time to listen to what you want to say.

All this thread has shown is that even when there is clear video evidence, some people will still stoop to whatever level possible to defend the white person.

It’s complete white privilege, ignoring the actual issues - racism, because calling someone a Karen is just so mean.

Yes this. Where’s the male equivalent or is it just about keeping women quiet?

The male equivalent is/was the popular misuse of "mansplaining".

I see it all the time on MN. The second the word “Karen” is used, people ignore the racist behaviour and focus only on the use of Karen. It’s already evident in this thread.

And that's exactly what conflating the two issues is. Stop using Karen and say "racist" instead. Why don't you?

Sorry! It's Amy Cooper!

@Enough4me

I won't listen as you used a nice regular name as a slur.

🙄

@Makhiaman

Anyway. OP I hope you realise that using a normal name as an insult does affect how you come across and whether people will devote time to listen to what you want to say.

All this thread has shown is that even when there is clear video evidence, some people will still stoop to whatever level possible to defend the white person.

It’s complete white privilege, ignoring the actual issues - racism, because calling someone a Karen is just so mean.

Exactly.

I think we should use racists real names. in an OP.
There are enough of them, after all.

Let's see who these people really are.

She behaved appallingly but she paid a very high price for it. Lost her job, her pet and became a social pariah overnight.
I wonder if she had been a he there would have been the same consequences
She behaved in a racist manner that could have had devastating consequences for the man involved, given that it was in the states.

The last thread you posted trying to defend this racist was deleted.

I actually thought it did a good job of pointing it out that it was more nuanced than reported, and that this guy had been aggressive to other dog owners before. But her use of his race was not adequately explained by her though.

I have listened to it - he is a black man who acts weirdly towards dog walkers. She is a white racist woman who was probably justified in being scared .

I haven’t listened to the podcast but from the original video of the incident, I think what she did, the words she used, shows that she is undoubtedly a racist. However I would also say that in other contexts, her argument about fearing for her safety as a woman alone in the park with a strange man (of any colour) would be valid, and it’s kind of weird that people are ignoring that. I must also confess that my own default reaction to finding myself alone with black men in particular is one of fear, based on traumatic past experiences, though I recognise that it is racist to group them all together instead of as individuals, so I try my best to overcome it. I know that sounds terrible but I am just being honest. I think people need to be honest about their prejudices in order to understand ourselves and each other better, and to overcome racism.

All this thread has shown is that even when there is clear video evidence, some people will still stoop to whatever level possible to defend the white person.

It’s complete white privilege, ignoring the actual issues - racism, because calling someone a Karen is just so mean.

Very well said. It's infuriating that so many people are up in arms about the use of the name Karen and perfectly happy to ignore the horrifically racist behaviour of Amy Cooper. But of course she counted on that reaction. She wants to rewrite history and frame herself as a victim. For the love of God. She clearly believes that the tears of a white woman must be attended to, even if that puts a black man in genuine danger.

And no. Calling her Karen is not equivalent to her racist behaviour. Not even close.

Stop acting precious over the use of “Karen” and FOCUS ON RACISM!

It’s human nature to focus on the issues that affect our day to day life. Racism is not an issue that directly affects me. Sexism is, being labelled a Karen (in the evolved use of it - middle aged woman of any race expressing displeasure) affects me. Depression and cancer affect me. These are what I focus on. I don’t not focus on racism because I don’t care, I do. Same with disability rights. But I can only focus and fight on so many fronts at once and like most people, they will be the issues that are part of our lived experience.

@OverweightPidgeon

I have listened to it - he is a black man who acts weirdly towards dog walkers. She is a white racist woman who was probably justified in being scared .

Absolute nonsense. She was the one in the wrong from the beginning of the incident to the end. She's a racist and a liar and now she wants to paint herself as a victim. Well, sorry. She was the aggressor and her actions could have had deadly consequences for Mr. Cooper. I have no sympathy for her at all. None.

@Perching

I detest it when women are called ‘Karen’ So misogynistic

Absolutely. It’s time this disappeared.

@Hivis

Stop acting precious over the use of “Karen” and FOCUS ON RACISM!

It’s human nature to focus on the issues that affect our day to day life. Racism is not an issue that directly affects me. Sexism is, being labelled a Karen (in the evolved use of it - middle aged woman of any race expressing displeasure) affects me. Depression and cancer affect me. These are what I focus on. I don’t not focus on racism because I don’t care, I do. Same with disability rights. But I can only focus and fight on so many fronts at once and like most people, they will be the issues that are part of our lived experience.

Not being goady. How does being called a Karen affect your day to day life(assuming you have been personally called a Karen)? I understand how the many forms of racism have affected and still affect people. But I don't understand how being called a Karen does.

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

Why can't do both?

Call out racism and stop using a lazy misogynistic slur?

This.

Offensive language is offensive no matter who uses it, or to whom it is directed.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Amy Cooper calls herself Karen in the title of this podcast. So it is being used in this thread. There is no point bickering about it.