As we fight against the blatant racism occurring in this country, many of us have taken to labeling racist white women as "Karens."
But, while this has been a lighthearted and funny way of identifying these bigots for most of us, some black people are now urging us to stop using this nickname for one important reason...
Over the last couple of months, we have seen an influx in "Racist Karens"...
And let me tell you, it hasn't been pretty.
Now, "Karens" used to be known for demanding the presence of a manager in order to complain...
You can tell how Karen a Karen is by how she reacts to a Karen meme https://t.co/j6u7y8N3Z1— Spinelli ϟ (@Spinelli ϟ)1588157381.0
But, in more recent times...
Congratulations, you played yourself https://t.co/SCRHBNsUO3— Antisocial_butterfly (@Antisocial_butterfly)1532473433.0
We can't help but notice that it is often middle-aged white women at the center of many of these racist scandals...
@melodyMcooper Karen: “this African American is threatening me and my dog.” Also Karen: *proceeds to strangle her… https://t.co/dPl7osoipI— Behdad Sami (@Behdad Sami)1590438882.0
The incident happened in Central Park...
Oh, when Karens take a walk with their dogs off leash in the famous Bramble in NY’s Central Park, where it is clear… https://t.co/zFb3O0cClz— Melody Cooper (@Melody Cooper)1590426192.0
And, as well as being fired, Amy was christened as a "Karen"...
It stuck fast...
It’s your time to shine #Karen ! Be the change #BlakeLivesMatter ##BLM #BLMprotest https://t.co/qTgWTjIzzb— grDrama (@grDrama)1591795661.0
A middle-aged white woman in Phoenix was filmed targeting a Hispanic shopper in her local supermarket...
#Phoenix #Arizona - Shell gas station 7th and Greenway #racism #racist https://t.co/FCCgKptbAK— BallerAlert (@BallerAlert)1591551403.0
The clip was truly shocking...
@balleralert @balleralert can you put the slap on repeat pleAse... I need to see that over and over— REEE (@REEE)1591551810.0
And then, the first-ever male Karen emerged...
@TaylorLorenz You could try calling him Kevin, Richard, or Chad. But it looks like he’s being mostly called ... the male Karen.— Dictionary.com (@Dictionary.com)1591741536.0
A man was filmed last month calling the cops (shock) on a pair of peaceful protestors...
What’s the name for a male Karen https://t.co/pSar9jHt4t— Taylor Lorenz (@Taylor Lorenz)1591673313.0
Then there was the "hammer-smash" Karen.
Bruh I hate racist ppl so much .. Im all the way in Miami while this dumbassbihh in LA fucking my car up .. all cuz… https://t.co/euqa0Qf5Lw— edy📸 (@edy📸)1592059503.0
Do you get the gist?
If any bigoted white woman expresses racially-motivated hate or abuse, she is labeled as a "Karen."Seems pretty straight forward, right?
Many people are growing concerned that the nickname is making light of a serious situation.
This Karen euphemism has gotten out of hand. These women are nurses, teachers, police, realtors, food handlers...… https://t.co/NDyhXnISAh— Octavia Butler knew... (@Octavia Butler knew...)1593660670.0
The whole "Karen" nickname is now considered more harmful than funny...
Stop calling racist white women Karen bc at this point all it does is downplay their actions and makes them out to… https://t.co/mKmwIAOUP4— 🍒 Hater | COMMS CLOSED (@🍒 Hater | COMMS CLOSED)1593535208.0
These people should be called by their real names...
@SA1NTCAKE @soobdoods Karen to me is someone who wants to talk with the manager. Equating that with being a raging… https://t.co/VzB8anmAxj— Emi ✿ (@Emi ✿)1593552182.0
This Twitter user shared a graphic to help explain their reasoning further...
Day 113. https://t.co/QmQOjAjzWB— Don't Wake Taylor Up Until 2024 😴 (@Don't Wake Taylor Up Until 2024 😴)1593764848.0
It's fine to still use the word for generic bossy white women...
Let's just stop using it to sugar-coat racists, okay?What do you think?
The "Karen" thing was cute at first but it's actually harmful in that it others, or distances, white women who viol… https://t.co/m8TorBuMFI— Apos (is great from afar) (@Apos (is great from afar))1593453279.0