Is the slur Karen only for white women?

[Ownyourname]

Hi
Just that really. I was interested in the other Karen thread on how women feel silenced. I am a woman of colour who is outspoken but I havent experienced this...yet!

I thought traditionally it was white middle aged women speaking in public when that demographic is meant to be invisible, but I have heard it used to describe women of any age standing up for themselves or disagreeing with a man. The kind of situation where you used to get told you were “being hormonal” or asked if you were on your period.

I thought black women usually got caught with the “angry black woman” stereotype, rather than “Karen”. Which is probably worse really.

(I’m aware of the origins of “Karen” in the US as the stridently racist lower class shouty white woman, but I’ve literally never seen it used like that in the UK - here it just seems to be just used for any woman objecting to sexism from men).

Yes

I think the term ‘karen’ is ridiculous, we all have our points of view which unfortunately anyone younger than 20 doesn’t understand (they will!!) I am white & I have been called that, thanks SM but I do think it’s reserved for white woman..trailer trash etc

I haven’t experienced it either

I’m middle aged and opinionated and I work with many young people who at times throw insults at me but not yet Karen (they refer to a colleague as a Karen and I can understand why)

My understanding is it was originally used for women with white privilege who display or demand entitlement beyond social norms. Now it has morphed into some sort of generic slur and most of the people who use it have no idea what it is supposed to mean. Hopefully it's use will die out quickly.

Being the Karen/ a Karen/ Karenesque has replaced being hysterical IMO
Hysteria was always disproportionately diagnosed in White women, in the same way that schizophrenia is disproportionately diagnosed in black men. It's political, it's circumstantial, and it's rarely to the benefit of the diagnosed and usually to the benefit of the white man. Hysteria to disempower women otherwise of racial privilege and schizophrenia to disempower black men, otherwise of gender privilege.

And before hysteria, ofc, we were witches.

My understanding is that it began life in the US as a slur for entitled, racist white women.

But it has morphed. It is now more of a generalised slur for a perimenopausal woman who’s outspoken in a rude, entitled, ‘I want to speak with the manager’ way. It’s not someone who’s opinionated, per se. It’s someone who’s rude with it.

To me, they are white women (with that haircut, indicating it’s a class issue, as well).

The sooner people stop using the name Karen as an insult the better. It's unnecessary and ignorant. I know several people named Karen, they are all lovely, and all very hurt by the use of their name as a slur.

Wasn't it originally used to describe the privileged white woman who would weaponise tears like the central park woman with the birdwatching man? So could certainly be white women acting against black women.

But now it's just used a generic slur about any women as a put down?

No! At least not on you tube. There are Karens of all colour/races/sex etc etc!

I can understand why too, they are workplace bullies who are very unpleasant.

The original use was for racist, entitled women.

I've seen the phrases 'black Karen' and 'male Karen' used online. In some cases its people being idiots, demanding stupid things (replacing 'I want to speak to the manager'). Other cases, its just people standing up for themselves, being used as insult.

I think it is really important to bear in mind the original referencing, which is as people suggest above white women monopolising their white privilege to the detriment of black women. It is very unfortunate that the term has taken a broad meaning now as this has led to an outcry of indignant misogyny claims, rather than support of black people being victimised by this group of white privileged women. It is the same as the Piers Morgan tribe crying wolfe over the "woke brigade" or "cancel culture" which were terms to describe people of any race/colour that were awakened/alert/educated (ie woke) to the reality and suffering of black people living in westernised states characterised by white privilege and white supremacy. It is an ignorant and nonchalant over taking of terms which aims to reduce the fight for justice, freedom and equality by branding it/us "hysterical/aggressive etc.

It is very unfortunate that the term has taken a broad meaning now as this has led to an outcry of indignant misogyny claims, rather than support of black people being victimised by this group of white privileged women

I assume you are not referring to the women of all colours and age who are targeted as being "Karens" by so called social warriors because they stand up for women's rights, safeguarding of children etc.

I would prefer it if this slur wasn't used at all.

I second what @AngelaRayner4PM and @ne said

which were terms to describe people of any race/colour that were awakened/alert/educated (ie woke) to the reality and suffering of black people living in westernised states characterised by white privilege and white supremacy.

Also, this original meaning of "woke" is a word from African American Vernacular English, another reason that misappropriating it and giving it a negative connotation is racially insensitive.

I used to think a Karen was a White version of a bossy Victor Meldrew, but the other Karen thread shows it to have been used against White Women reporting Black Women - Or men- for trifling reasons, often being very histrionic about it.

So yes, White women with bossy entitlement , and being a bit of a busy body, but especially in USA, That’s a Karen.

A classic Karen Is the White Woman in Victoria’s Secret.( Video’d by Black customer)
WW went to slap a Black Woman, then sobbed and wailed and collapsed on the floor in the sloooowest “ Faint” ever when she realised she was on film.
google to see the histrionics at play.

Since when are people being labeled as Karen's for standing up for women's rights, safeguarding of children etc???

It's a lazy term that is used in a sexist agist fashion by some people. Its a name that some older women in particular may actually have

It's also unnecessary , so why is it so hard for people to drop it?

I would say it's women over about 45 in the UK - so yes, generally white women. But black women born in the UK around that time might be called Karen as well. Actually I have a Chinese friend who uses Karen.

Since when are people being labeled as Karen's for standing up for women's rights, safeguarding of children etc

since any woman was demonised for daring to have an opinion, but particularly if she is over 45?

No that's just a silly racist idiot. Nothing to do with the name Karen.

I think it is really important to bear in mind the original referencing, which is as people suggest above white women monopolising their white privilege to the detriment of black women

but it wasn't, it was someone referring to his ex-wife.

I thought traditionally it was white middle aged women speaking in public when that demographic is meant to be invisible, but I have heard it used to describe women of any age standing up for themselves or disagreeing with a man. The kind of situation where you used to get told you were “being hormonal” or asked if you were on your period this describes it perfectly