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Your Use of “Karen” Is Racist
Call the behavior for what it is.
There is a disturbing racist trend that has perpetuated for some time now. It targets white women. Although not a minority or marginalized group per se — even though women as a class may beg to differ — almost anyone in this cultural moment can label white women as “Karens” when they act as stereotypically “white.” Many feel justified in dishing out this pejorative label when witnessing a middle-aged white woman act entitled or racist. But the label extends far beyond white women behaving badly. There is an entire subreddit dedicated to the hatred of “Karen” aptly named “ Fuck You Karen.” Just for the hell of it. There are over 694,000 members.
Your use of “Karen” is racist. While there are many obnoxious middle-aged white women who suffer from bouts of privilege and racist tendencies, lobbing pejorative labels their way is hypocritical and demeaning to white women as a class. This is especially true when many of the people tossing around the label are self-proclaimed “Karen Experts” and ardent defenders of civil rights. Why not call certain behavior for what it is? Or certain people for who they are? Racist. Entitled. Privileged. Obnoxious. Xenophobic. Is it therapeutic to put white women in the “Karen” box when you witness one white woman behaving badly?
