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# So Who’s the Karen Now?
- URL: https://goodoil.news/so-whos-the-karen-now/
- Published: 2020-06-21T20:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2020-06-21T05:38:08.000Z
- Author: Xavier Theodore Reginald Ordinary
- Tags: Media, News, NZ, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-07-17 03:00

Some people lack a certain self-awareness, especially when they think they have a point to make, no matter how obtuse.

This is where the apt internet “*Karen*” meme comes from.

In case some of you are yet to know what it means [Wikipedia provides a good definition of *Karen*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen%5F%28slang%29?ref=goodoil.news):

> … a Karen’s defining characteristics are **“entitlement, selfishness, a desire to complain”** and that a Karen “**demands the world exist according to her standards with little regard for others, and she is willing to risk or demean others to achieve her ends.**” Rachel Charlene Lewis, writing for Bitch media, agrees, saying **a Karen “sees *no one* as an individual, instead moving through the world prepared to fight faceless conglomerate of lesser-than people who won’t give her what she wants and feels she deserves.** She’ll wield the power that, yes, might be very different from that of a white man, as she makes her demands. And that feeling of entitlement is what makes her, undeniably, a Karen.”  
>  
> The *Karen* meme carries several stereotypes, the most notable being the stereotype that a *Karen* will demand to “speak with the manager” of a hypothetical service provider. Other stereotypes include anti-vaccination beliefs, racism against black people, use of Facebook and a particular bob haircut with blond highlights; pictures of **Kate Gosselin** are often used to depict Karen, and her bob is sometimes called the “can-I-speak-to-your-manager haircut”.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f4/31f4e20a-0315-499e-83ff-139e8eab53bf/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/maxresdefault-93.jpg)

The BFD

And now that you know what a *Karen* is, I give you [the following quote](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121886836/coronavirus-if-there-must-be-anger-direct-it-at-those-who-set-unrealistic-expectations?ref=goodoil.news):

> They were vilified for doing what is natural in grief: seeking comfort and support in their loved ones.  
>  
> Mocked for [getting lost and calling for help](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121870865/coronavirus-women-had-no-recollection-of-physical-contact-with-friends-on-way-to-wellington?ref=goodoil.news) (easy when you are distraught and jet-lagged. It’s perfectly possible newly arrived travellers wouldn’t have the mobile data to access Google Maps).  
>  
> **And scorned as our ‘Covid’ Karens. (Don’t do that: it’s a slur that is both misogynistic and ageist.)**

That was in the middle of a *Karen*\-esque article about the failure of “Be Kind”, where this resident Karen of *Stuff* is scolding us for being mean.

And contrary to *Stuff*‘s resident Karen’s claims, the meme is not misogynistic and ageist. Very few, normally *Karens*, claim that. **It is actually racist**, a slur with origins from the Black community against white female busybodies. You’d think a journalist, trained and skilled, would know that rather than make stuff up.

But it got me thinking, has *Stuff*‘s resident *Karen* ever made sexist comments herself?

Well yes, in [an article about sexism in politics](https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/lifestyle/career/1-news-reporter-andrea-vance-on-cyberbullying-women-politicians-and-social-media-34128?ref=goodoil.news) *Stuff*‘s resident *Karen* said this:

> It’s mostly because we women are conditioned to ignore online harassment.   
>  
> Don’t feed the trolls, we’re told. I’ve brushed off plenty of sexist (usually poorly spelt) comments. Strangers **‘mansplain’ my job to me,** in the rudest terms, on a daily basis.  
>  
> Block and mute are my friends. I and many of my female Gallery reporters (we outnumber the men, by the way) will turn off our notifications while we are on the campaign trail. **Your loss, men!**

So, who’s the Karen now **Andrea Vance**?

If you are upset about this article, perhaps you’d like to speak to my manager.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f4/31f4e20a-0315-499e-83ff-139e8eab53bf/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/andrea-karen-vance.jpg)

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