Can't stand people referring to others as a 'Karen'

[shesellsseashells99]

I'm fed up with seeing it, I really have. it's gone way too far now. I have a friend who is ashamed of her name and won't post on any public forum because of the stick she gets. Constantly seeing stupid memes.

You may think I'm being too serious but I think it's so derogatory to people who have that name.

Yanbu. Its ageist, misogynistic and a way to keep middle aged women who shove their head above the parapet, to pipe down and stay in their lane.

If you need a word for an entitled wanker, call them an entitled wanker.

It is really shitty and used as just another stick to beat us worthless, middle aged women who dare to speak up with.
Everyone who uses it can go and fuck themselves,
This is the result the patriarchy wanted ; to silence us as they have your poor friend.

It’s everyday sexism. There’s no standard male equivalent where everyone would know what you meant if you said ‘he’s being a [insert male name here]. It’s used to shout down women and force them to be quiet.

If an arsehole is being an arsehole, then it is because they are an arsehole. Not because they’re a woman, or they’ve got a certain haircut or because they want to see your manager.

There is no male equivalent.

I think it’s really horrible. I know someone who wont complain or mention anything now because it’s here name. It’s a form of bullying. I agree it’s picking on middle aged women who feel like they are disappearing anyway.

YANBU to dislike ageism and misogyny.
It's also nasty to use a personal name as an insult - and it's especially inappropriate for use as a slur, given its also the name of an oppressed ethnic group - the Karen people.

worldrelieffortworth.org/burma-myanmar-karen-cultural-profile

Bullying, misogynistic and ageist. It’s completely unacceptable and I think ill of anyone who uses it.

I call my friend Karen, ‘Karen’, though

I really dont understand what it means when someone calls someone a karen. It just doesnt make any sense to me

There is no male equivalent.

You mean Ken?

YANBU. Very misogynistic.

I agree. Its horrible.

@phoenixrosehere

There is no male equivalent.

You mean Ken?

No, he goes with Barbie.

No, he goes with Barbie.

No. That’s the male equivalent. Karen and Ken.

YABU and ridiculous. Don’t like it? Tough shit; while it’s an accurate way to describe a behaviour it’s going to continue to be used.

YANBU - @Suckmyfatone summed it up perfectly unfortunately.

Me either it’s horrible, I know at least two Karen’s and their lovely.

Ageist, classist and sexist twaddle so @emilyfrost is right of course people are going to keep on using it.

@emilyfrost

YABU and ridiculous. Don’t like it? Tough shit; while it’s an accurate way to describe a behaviour it’s going to continue to be used.

Karen is a name, not a behaviour though.

I don't know any entitled Karens; I could raise you some Pams, Tessas and Tanyas though.

@emilyfrost

YABU and ridiculous. Don’t like it? Tough shit; while it’s an accurate way to describe a behaviour it’s going to continue to be used.

It’s not though is it?

“Karen” is a name, not a descriptor of behaviour.

It’s pathetic and generally used by people who have no further rational argument to shut down conversation.

@emilyfrost

YABU and ridiculous. Don’t like it? Tough shit; while it’s an accurate way to describe a behaviour it’s going to continue to be used.

When somebody uses a word in an offensive manner, a civilised society pulls them up on it. As opposed to saying 'tough shit'.

I thought there was a male equivalent, Chad? But I don't like it either. It is often something men use to shut down women who speak up. There is also Becky, which is the younger version. Don't like any of them.

I quite like the Karens against racism group or whatever they're called. The ones who turn up to protests with signs saying "I want to speak to the manager of institutional racism" etc.

@lakesidewinter

Ageist, classist and sexist twaddle so *@emilyfrost* is right of course people are going to keep on using it.

Good point!

It's sickeningly ageist, classist and misogynist. But sadly, the way misogyny is regaining traction and being increasingly re-legitimised from as recently as about 5 years ago, it's not altogether surprising.

Women and women's rights made some slow, hard-won progress over the last few decades of the 20th century, in which time those spouting openly sexist views were laughed at as the dinosaurs they were. It was obviously still simmering not too far below the surface and it's alarming how quickly and efficiently that smoke screen has been blown away.

The 'Karen' thing is only one symptom. In 2020, even the apparently innocuous word 'Woman' can make you a prime candidate for the doghouse.

It's concerning.

Tough shit; while it’s an accurate way to describe a behaviour it’s going to continue to be used.

It's hardly 'accurate'. Karen isn't a fucking verb.