Karen advert

[IncognitoMam]

This shouldn't be allowed surely? Who comes up with this shit?
I'm not called Karen but I know Karen's that hate their name now because of the way it's used.

Written by a white woman in Silicon Valley. No offence to her but what can she possibly know about Black culture?

It SOON became clear when I started being misquoted.

I even strongly object to the word itself, to it being used as a misogynistic and ageist slur towards middle-aged white women by younger white women- it is all wrong.

However, only one thing matters on this thread and MN: My complete disregard and total dismissal of karen being used as racism.

Colour me surprised!

‘Upsetting’ so it’s okay to minimise how myself and others feel

Despite my negative real life experiences and the ‘jokes’ and comments when people find out my name nobody has ever asked if I’m racist or called me a racist. It’s usually comments around complaining, entitlement, being generally unpleasant, throwing your weight around etc etc so it looks like there’s a lot of people who aren’t aware, don’t use it in its original context according to you or don’t give any race connections a thought at least in the UK

Who IS minimising it?! Just WHO? At least NOT me and do not, and I repeat, do not use my words to mean others so I also think you include me. Clear?

This!

It's OFTEN used in the UK. Thank you.

wayyour
’Karen’ is not used as a slur or to silence all women. It specifically targets White women, both in the US and U.K.

No. Earlier in the thread I gave the example of my non white sister in law being called a Karen, because she's a woman and middle aged (and not the least bit rude or entitled). So misogyny and ageism.

We're in the UK, and it was a group of male teenagers who called her a Karen; she was about to go into a supermarket and politely said excuse me as their bikes were blocking her access between the car park and the shop.

According to some on this thread those teenage boys were carrying out important anti racism work when they called your black SIL a Karen. They weren't being ageist or misogynistic at all or shutting down women.

I hope people don't really think like that.

My follow on post where I said they expanded to say she even looked like a Karen was a point of interest. My nephew said there's a 'Karen' haircut, I think I've seen that mentioned in a style and beauty post before (don't visit that section much). SIL doesn't have a haircut like that. She said she'd been wearing sunglasses, skirt and gypsy top with sandals. All unremarkable. She is middle aged and female though (the horror!)

So what does it mean in the advert posted in the OP?

Regardless of how it originated, the term is derogatory and being used now as a way to disrespect women.

This should never be allowed and it needs to stop asap.

Thank you for being direct and clear. So people can respond clearly instead of you ( and others) hiding behind quotes from interweby. Finally, we are getting somewhere. It is a START. Keep it up.

The CONSTANT deflection, hiding, etc is what gets to me, sometimes. Be direct and clear with your racism. Why not? Why hide?

Yes. Its tone policing. When we call out racist behaviours by entitled white women and use an accepted definite word of the year meme for it like “Karen” the outrage is all how dare you use that word/name to communicate a type of racism you experience from white women! You’re offending me and you’re hurting the feelings of everyone named Karen.

We get the same response when we use academic speak too, like when we use “white feminism”. How dare you! You’re tearing down all feminists who are white and being anti-feminist and divisive, I’m so offended by your word choice that I can’t even bring myself to discuss anything.

Tone policing is just a way to avoid actually discussing the real issue.

So, misogynistic behaviour from a group of boys who want to shut down a woman. Awful.

Meanwhile you rushed to report and shut down a poster on here who simply posted articles about racism and white women in the US. Because you decided this thread can only be about misogyny. The poster who mentioned racism was “derailing the thread” and must be barred from contributing unless they fall in line with your opinion.

If it wasn’t so sad it would be funny.

To act like a Karen would mean to act like

Your example is an example of “Karen” being misused to insult a woman by immature, teenage boys.

It’s not an example of what Karen means or its intended usage.

🙏

I agree with you@Bettelucksecondtimearoundimherewaitingforu @BillaBongGirl , and@Eastie77Returns .

Quite right. And I don't see how anybody could disagree with that!

Though we'll see. There's always one.

What’s actually ironic is that @DeeCee77seems to be saying that we’re automatically Karens if we object to being called a Karen. That simply rejecting the label makes us a Karen.

Exactly. So it’s not just white women using their privilege to terrorize black people after all, but also those who are ‘self absorbed and complaining’?
That could be applied to any woman who’s trying to assert herself.

Sad, it needed that many decent posters. But, that's the way of the world!

looks like there’s a lot of people who aren’t aware, don’t use it in its original context according to you or don’t give any race connections a thought at least in the UK

And why is that surprising? Only 4% of us in England and Wales are Black so statistically you’d expect a lot of ignorance regarding Black culture until it goes viral and mainstream which would require much of the 82% white population appropriating the meme and more often than not misusing it out of not knowing.

Your example is an example of “Karen” being misused to insult a woman by immature, teenage boys.

Well no shit, Sherlock, as they say... 🙄 No points for stating the obvious. I am sorry to be blunt, but really!

It’s not an example of what Karen means or its intended usage.

Tell that to the boys and other youth who are using it. It's an example, not uncommon in the UK or amongst the British youth'. Borne out by threads here (advanced search) if you're in any doubt.

Bettelucksecondtimearoundimherewaitingforu.

We can all agree to disagree but we still need to remain respectful.

Nothing is gained if we use language that can 'rile' others..

I think the original poster wanted to point out that the name is being used at women as a form of disrespect and this is definitely wrong and shouldn't continue.

Right, well, that's insured that no middle-aged woman will dare to complain on here about being called a Karen again. Well done, everyone. Great afternoon's work.

Oh, you haven't read the language used to TRY to subjugate and subdue those standing against racism on here, have you? It works both ways.

Here is to new beginnings on MN.

I say TRY- as they ALWAYS fail. MN headquarters does a marvellous job too (in some instances, daily) which is why some of us remain here. Thank you MN HQ.

The deflection will remain and will continue as it is evident here. Do carry on.