Karen

[strawberrydaquiari]

The use of Karen as an insult isn't going away is it?
I'm fed up. I feel silenced. I can't stand up to the insult without being accused of acting "like one" and being shut down.
It's everywhere and I hate it.

I agree with Ofcom. All the women I have known called Karen are or were lovely people.

@Squills

What does the Emmet Till have to do with the misuse of the name Karen?

If you can’t see it, then you never will. When you are actively outraged by what Karens of this world do, then maybe others like me will be exercised by the supposed misuse of a name. The misuse and abuse of privilege, and the painful history and memories of it, is far more important to people like me than this bellyaching over the use of Karen to encapsulate the abuse that some whites women have unleashed and continue to unleash on innocent people.

You are more concerned about the use of Karen, oh poor you.

I bet if it was Fatoumata or Rashida vey few, if any of you would be outraged about the “misuse” of the name.

@Lacedwithgrace

Anyone being called a Karen probably deserves it. The use of it isn't some mysogynistic attack

Yes - anyone who criticises a woman by calling her a name reserved for overreacting, hysterical woman is always in the right

😂😂😂😂😂😂

@Lacedwithgrace

Anyone being called a Karen probably deserves it. The use of it isn't some mysogynistic attack

Is there a name for someone who defends, denies and lectures people about misogyny without being able to spell it?

Its horrible and abusive

@TheLightSideOfTheMoon I have actually seen as many if not more women use it , usually younger women to an older women

@Bigfathairyones its used all the time on social media to shut someone up who doesn't share the same opinion
If you think its ok then your really part of the problem
If you think someone is being an arsehole then call it out but using the term Karen is purely an insult

@Longcovid21 there was nothing wrong with what she had already said , stop being an apologist

Could you have just said, "are these yours guys? Don't forget them.

You have got to be kidding.

A polite request is fine.

I know a few people called Karen, the one who features most heavily in my life is one of the strongest, determined and resilient people I know. She can be unreasonable as much as the next person, but, she also has more good qualities than bad and I think she's pretty amazing.

The one time I was called a 'Karen' I replied that if they knew the Karen I did, they'd realise that it was actually a compliment to me and not the insult they thought it was.
They settled for cunt instead. 🤷🏼‍♀️

@why2why

You brought Emmet Till into the conversation but you still haven’t said why you feel it relevant.

I don’t understand how abusing women called Karen can be linked to a lynching in Mississippi 66 years ago.

"Anyone being called a Karen probably deserves it. The use of it isn't some mysogynistic attack"

FFS

it's not about the people who get called Karen 'deserving it' by, I don't know, existing while middle aged and female, it's about people who's NAME is Karen, which has now become a slur.

Use your imagination that was being done to your own name, and how you might feel about that.

@Why2why

I bet if it was Fatoumata or Rashida vey few, if any of you would be outraged about the “misuse” of the name.

I think even more people would. It would very clearly be racist as well as misogynistic. Not everyone can spot racism , but those who can, speak up.

I don’t understand how abusing women called Karen can be linked to a lynching in Mississippi 66 years ago.

1st rule of misogyny: Women are responsible for what men do.

Genuinely feel there are two completely separate debates happening on this thread and completely missing one another.

@maddiemookins16mum

Someone I love and adore is called Karen. She can be firm and to the point (but would still be this if her name was Joyce). She gets incredibly upset by the memes and assassination of her name.

My name is Karen and this is exactly how I feel ( and I can be equally firm and to the point). I find it incredibly upsetting that my name has been misappropriated in this way.

@PollyPollyPollyPolly

Genuinely feel there are two completely separate debates happening on this thread and completely missing one another.

It is the difference between the USA and the UK.

I think it’s only really an issue if you spend too much time on social media. In ‘real life’ no one really uses the name in this way. It’s like saying ‘meme’ or ‘bae’ out loud - it’s not really something said away from your phone - people don’t talk about these things, they read and write about them on the internet. I’m not saying it’s ok to use Karen as an insult on the internet, but literally no one in real life seems to think anything of this or acknowledges this is happening. I know four Karens. One doesn’t do social media and I reckon she doesn’t have a clue this is a thing. The other three I have no doubt wouldn’t give a shit. But maybe I should ask?

Not wanting to set the cat among the pigeons here but if you've looked an any of the 'classic Karen' clips being shown on social media

Do you think this misogynistic slur is only used about women who are in "the classic Karen clips"? It means any middle aged woman who dares to speak out of turn, according to men and some younger women.

@Ereshkigalangcleg

Not wanting to set the cat among the pigeons here but if you've looked an any of the 'classic Karen' clips being shown on social media

Do you think this misogynistic slur is only used about women who are in "the classic Karen clips"? It means any middle aged woman who dares to speak out of turn, according to men and some younger women.

Agree. But posters in USA don't get this at all.

I think it is one of the many ideas/concepts/expressions that hasn't travelled well.

Some of my friends who are younger than me have had this insult thrown at them by their stroppy young teens and have been very hurt by it. It is clear the kids don't understand the origins and context.

As an Outlander fan I am reminded of the episode where Bree tells Jamie to "go to hell". A throw away remark to her, but a devastating thing to him.

Not wanting to set the cat among the pigeons here but if you've looked an any of the 'classic Karen' clips being shown on social media, does anyone think that their behaviour is just 'standing up for themselves'? Every 'Karen' example I've seen is of a woman whose behaviour is well into the unreasonable bracket.

This. The comments saying this is a misogynistic term, please can someone explain that as I’ve never heard that suggested before? I don’t see how that’s misogynistic at all.

I don’t think it’s right to use the name ‘Karen’ but the type of behaviour that is associated with the name should 100% be called out. It’s often people who are acting entitled and speaking down to people, sometimes even with a hint of racism/microaggressions. Are people here saying that that behaviour shouldn’t be called out or challenged?

It’s not about women not being allowed to ‘stand up for themselves’ or ‘voice their opinions’ it’s way bigger than that. If people now just say ‘oh shut up you Karen’ when you’ve simply asked them to move out of the way then that’s completely different. People will always used terms out of context but that doesn’t take away the origin of the phrase

@Ereshkigalangcleg

Not wanting to set the cat among the pigeons here but if you've looked an any of the 'classic Karen' clips being shown on social media

Do you think this misogynistic slur is only used about women who are in "the classic Karen clips"? It means any middle aged woman who dares to speak out of turn, according to men and some younger women.

@Ereshkigalangcleg since when…?

I’ve noticed there’s a lot of oppression olympics on MN

Since all the time. People have explained. It's actually a term an incel on Reddit coined about his ex.