The violence of the modern “Karen.”
Recently, “Karens” have had a major romp to the front of our collective zeitgeist. “According to a popular meme, Karen is a middle-aged white woman with an asymmetrical bob asking to speak to the manager, who happens to be as entitled as she is ignorant.” (Hunt) Quickly followed the “Kevins,” Karen’s male counterpart. In the same timeframe, the Black Lives Matter movement came to prominence as well as the #whileblack.
Amongst all of this, a slew of accounts on Twitter and Instagram cropped up, such as @karensgonecrazy with 145,000 followers. Accounts like this mainly post outrageous recordings of Karens and Kevins spouting bigotry and anti-mask sentiment. Normally a store clerk or a random person of color is on the receiving end of this nonsense. Thus, the atrocities ensue. I find that when scrolling through these videos (which I seldom like to do), I must find a video where the suspect is arrested, or some “justice” prevails. I do not think this is good for anyone.
It seems the goal of these accounts is to name and shame those acting like neanderthals in public, and sometimes they are successful. What I am opposed to is the catharsis these videos empart on the audience. Carthasis is a media effects theory. It asserts that when our negative feelings are played out in some media (disgust in the case of @karensgonewild), there is a vicarious release of those feelings and thus a reduction in those feelings for the viewer. (Davis)
For me, I have had personal experience with rude, degrading Karens in past retail jobs. There is no reason for people to treat others in ways that belittle or embarrass anyone. Even when you have experienced bad service, bad food, or faulty products. Ask for your money back, call customer service, complain to the manager, or just don't return your business. Berating someone because your shampoo exploded in your bag is not comensarate with your inconvenience.
When I see the @karensgonewild videos on Instagram, I cannot stop scrolling through them until one appears with a righteous ending. When the person recording explains what these bigots are doing it disgusts me. I want them to know their behavior is gross. Sometimes the culprits are so aggressive that they need to have police involvement. They get into other’s personal space, they spit on them, they are so viscerally angry they turn bright red. It’s a truly maddening spectacle. One recent anti-mask Karen debaucle resulted in her removal from a restaurant and subsequent arrest. Karen was so entitled she told the police officer she was not under arrest — it’s astounding the audacity and defiance Karen exhibits towards the police officer. So when the arrest happens the release of my disgust occurs. I feel less disgusted with the world after these acts of justice.
What is important to remember is that not all of these videos end happily ever after. Some Karens spout their bigotry and leave, like a verbal hit and run. Kevins can get violent and the police may never show up. Videos like this leave you reveling in disgust and you spiral down a path of Karen videos until you find one with a satisfying ending. Writing this piece I lost about two hours — these accounts are a major time drain. But further, this build up of disgust makes your outlook on the world look much darker. I assume for people of color, this is what their life involves and we should realize it. With all of that said, I do not want to wish for someone’s arrest. I don’t want to feel malice towards strangers. I don't want to think all baby boomers are entitled bigots. Yet these videos make us feel this way. Maybe this is cultivation theory at work.
I think these Karen and Kevin accounts are important. They alert the majority to the bigotry the minority has to endure. What I have experienced is an antipathy towards a certain type of woman. A stereotype. I can’t condone the widespread disgust I have felt and the catharsis I have sought after. In reality, I know many middle-aged white people who are perfectly pleasant. I shouldn't assume the worst in them because a similar woman is recorded screaming in a Target. Catharsis has led me to crave for someone’s downfall and that is wrong, even if it is just.
Davis, W. Media Violence PT1 FA20. University of Missouri — Columbia. https://missouri.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=6843d6b7-6899-4647-87de-ac4b0152c41a
Hunt, E. (2020, May 13). What does it mean to be a ‘Karen’? Karens explain. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/13/karen-meme-what-does-it-mean
