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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

561 replies

shesellsseashells99 · 30/11/2020 21:41

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.

OP posts:
MsTSwift · 02/12/2020 15:50

Or you will get older and the one being laughed at will be you...

Kaliorphic · 02/12/2020 15:56

Or you will get older and the one being laughed at will be you..

Yep that too.

KnotsLanding · 02/12/2020 16:46

The reason so many are against the Karen meme is because it raises up a mirror against your own reflection. If you don't like what you see then maybe think about changing the image you portray. The meme has made me laugh.

DarthKaren · 02/12/2020 16:57

I just make a joke of it!!!

Kaliorphic · 02/12/2020 17:13

The reason so many are against the Karen meme is because it raises up a mirror against your own reflection. If you don't like what you see then maybe think about changing the image you portray. The meme has made me laugh

I think you should hold a mirror up to yourself and take your own advice.

KnotsLanding · 02/12/2020 17:19

@kaliorphic i have and i like what i see

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 02/12/2020 17:22

@KnotsLanding

The reason so many are against the Karen meme is because it raises up a mirror against your own reflection. If you don't like what you see then maybe think about changing the image you portray. The meme has made me laugh.
I dislike it because I don’t like labeling and stereotyping people. End of.
Mittens030869 · 02/12/2020 17:23

@KnotsLanding And do you really not care if it upsets women whose name happens to be Karen? Some of whom have said it upsets them? That's not very funny, is it? Especially if they haven't done anything that fits with the stereotype.

Funny how those of you defending the Karen meme haven't answered this question.

KnotsLanding · 02/12/2020 17:27

@Mittens030869 if my name was Karen, then i would own it and laugh too....i've just watched a fresh batch of Karen videos on youtube and forgot how funny they were

Ellathechristmasfairy20 · 02/12/2020 17:27

Maybe it touches a nerve, there seems to be plenty on here who are frequently FUMING and DISGUSTED, firing off emails and calling people out on completely minor issues. The Karen meme really doesn’t bother me despite me being middle aged and white.

MyGazeboisLeaking · 02/12/2020 17:32

@KnotsLanding

The reason so many are against the Karen meme is because it raises up a mirror against your own reflection. If you don't like what you see then maybe think about changing the image you portray. The meme has made me laugh.

😂😂😂😂😂😂

Ah, bless.

KnotsLanding · 02/12/2020 17:34

@AmICrazyorWhat2 people are sterotyped all the time, why not have one for Karen? Is there some reason why Karen should be exempt? Why haven't i seen so many objections for stereotyping BAME people on here? So are you saying what is good for the goose is not for the gander? At least Karen is funny.....you should take comfort in that

KnotsLanding · 02/12/2020 17:36

And i'm not sure why English folk are getting all heated about the Karen meme when it clearly is American so it must be that it resonates with you. If the shoe fits, wear it.

Backbee · 02/12/2020 17:38

The world doesn't revolve around America @KnotsLanding. Here Karen was around years ago as a meme around asking to speak to the manager for something ridiculous, and was pathetic back then also.

Mittens030869 · 02/12/2020 17:39

As has been explained, the Karen meme has developed into a misogynistic insult in this country, and a way for men to silence assertive middle-aged women. It doesn't have the racist connotations here.

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 02/12/2020 17:47

[quote KnotsLanding]@AmICrazyorWhat2 people are sterotyped all the time, why not have one for Karen? Is there some reason why Karen should be exempt? Why haven't i seen so many objections for stereotyping BAME people on here? So are you saying what is good for the goose is not for the gander? At least Karen is funny.....you should take comfort in that[/quote]
Stereotyping can definitely be funny (like Ali G years ago), but it easily turn unpleasant-and I think the Karen” meme has done that.

I’m a white woman living in a majority African-American area and believe me, if I decided to pick a name and stereotype a person of color, it wouldn’t go down at all well.

VladmirsPoutine · 02/12/2020 17:48

@KnotsLanding tbh if you erased the whole Karen thing and just made a thread about the specific type of racism typical of white women you'd get pretty much the same thread but with "NOT ALL WHITE WOMEN!" "IMAGINE IF THIS WAS SAID ABOUT ANY OTHER RACE OF WOMEN!" etc etc. The Karen thing is largely redundant. And remember this forum is Mumsnet - you can't for example join a dairy-alternative group and preach to them about the wonders of cow milk.

misskatamari · 02/12/2020 17:50

YANBU I am so so sick of seeing it. I instantly think anyone who uses it is a bit of a twat, and avoid in future

KnotsLanding · 02/12/2020 17:57

I've said all i needed to say, let the meme speak for itself....Wine, cheers to Karen

Mittens030869 · 02/12/2020 17:59

Is there some reason why Karen should be exempt?

The point is, WHY USE THE NAME KAREN? I wouldn't mind reading a thread about the racism experienced at the hands of white women in the US. Amy Cooper's behaviour was despicable.

But wouldn't it be better to name and shame her rather than pick a women's name at random (which is what you're basically doing)?

CecilyP · 02/12/2020 18:02

Maybe it touches a nerve, there seems to be plenty on here who are frequently FUMING and DISGUSTED, firing off emails and calling people out on completely minor issues. The Karen meme really doesn’t bother me despite me being middle aged and white.

And called Karen???

cologne4711 · 02/12/2020 18:08

@KnotsLanding

The reason so many are against the Karen meme is because it raises up a mirror against your own reflection. If you don't like what you see then maybe think about changing the image you portray. The meme has made me laugh.
Does it now.

So you know that all over 45 year old women in the anglophone sphere are entitled racist bitches do you?

Well who knew.

There are some very strange people on this thread.

CecilyP · 02/12/2020 18:10

@AmICrazyorWhat2 people are sterotyped all the time, why not have one for Karen? Is there some reason why Karen should be exempt? Why haven't i seen so many objections for stereotyping BAME people on here? So are you saying what is good for the goose is not for the gander?

No reason why Karen should be exempt, but no reason why it should have been chosen either. Other than it is an extremely common name for women between about 45 and 60. And no other name has been used to such an extent and in quite the same way. If in future years, your name is picked on for some reason, I doubt you'll find it so bloody hilarious.

cologne4711 · 02/12/2020 18:11

@CecilyP

Maybe it touches a nerve, there seems to be plenty on here who are frequently FUMING and DISGUSTED, firing off emails and calling people out on completely minor issues. The Karen meme really doesn’t bother me despite me being middle aged and white.

And called Karen???

Although I'm over 45 and female I regret to inform you that I am not called Karen.

I also think much of this is to do with the fact that women (of any age) should be seen and not heard and those of you who buy into this meme are misguided.

CecilyP · 02/12/2020 18:21

Although I'm over 45 and female I regret to inform you that I am not called Karen.

I also think much of this is to do with the fact that women (of any age) should be seen and not heard and those of you who buy into this meme are misguided.

Me neither, and I totally agree. But my question was really to Ellathechristmasfairy20.