Karen (slang)

Karen, aside from being a given name, is a recently popular pejorative term for an allegedly racist white woman who is perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is normal. The term is often portrayed in memes depicting white women who make demands due to their supposed white privilege to inappropriately demand their own way. It also has more specific meanings, such as demanding to "speak to the manager" or wearing a particular bob cut hairstyle.

An ideological tool of political correctness, the term itself has been widely criticized from across the political spectrum as being ageist, sexist, racist, classist, misogynistic and seeking to control women's behavior. As of 2020, the term increasingly appeared in mainstream media and social media as a general criticism of white women, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd riots. The term has also been applied to male behavior.

Usage of the term

The term "Karen" became a popular slang term amongst the political left in association with the "Great Awokening". It shares many similarities with the derogatory epithet "white trash". In response, conservatives have reappopriated it, much like with other terms such as fake news. A notable usage of the term was in relation to the Central Park birdwatching incident in 2020.

See also

• Anti-masker
• Anti-vaxxer
• Flat Earther
• List of ethnic slurs
• Political correctness
• White trash