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Ilsa

(64,366 posts)

73. It's another form of sexism and discrimination

Fri Jun 26, 2020, 08:46 AM

Jun 2020

against women with that name.

Nobody names their kid "Adolf" anymore because even if they are good, the initial impression is not.

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I fail to find anything derogatory or sexist in labeling white priviledged women "Karen" [View all] CatWoman Jun 2020 OP

Well, Corgigal Jun 2020 #1

that would make you an "Elizabeth R" CatWoman Jun 2020 #3

Hell yeah, Corgigal Jun 2020 #6

That was m first ChazII Jun 2020 #66

You signature GiF is so distracting , lol. TristanIsolde Jun 2020 #93

It's not that it's sexist. I've not seen that complaint. PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2020 #2

i honestly don't CatWoman Jun 2020 #5

True. But recently Karen has come to embody PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2020 #12

John--he's a toilet, uses prostitutes and a generic legal name Maeve Jun 2020 #131

Dick jerk, or asshole Drahthaardogs Jun 2020 #187

How about calling someone a big fat Dick! PTWB Jun 2020 #8

lol CatWoman Jun 2020 #15

Was that inappropriate? PTWB Jun 2020 #19

No...just a typical Thursday Lucinda Jun 2020 #23

oh hell no CatWoman Jun 2020 #24

In England they get a kick out of the name Randy! PTWB Jun 2020 #28

Jody is commonly used in the Army JonLP24 Jun 2020 #31

My favourite is "Ruperts" - meadowlander Jun 2020 #48

They have one safeinOhio Jun 2020 #10

John, Jock, Dick, Willy, lazy Susan -- simple, common names are often used in unflattering ways. pnwmom Jun 2020 #27

It is also sexist because it used exclusively as a weapon against women. Ms. Toad Jun 2020 #33

It's a woman's name used against white women who exhibit a specific kind of oppressive behavior. WhiskeyGrinder Jun 2020 #117

Except that it's not. Ms. Toad Jun 2020 #152

Well, there is Dick. Also Willie. nt tblue37 Jun 2020 #42

Again, people have been using those names all along, alongside PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2020 #43

It's not different at all just because it's recent. All those other names pnwmom Jun 2020 #49

Those are also both nicknames for other given names. Crunchy Frog Jun 2020 #188

Current meme name for males is Chad Sympthsical Jun 2020 #46

Alas, I have somehow missed that. PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2020 #52

I'm on twitter and I've never heard of it. Ilsa Jun 2020 #79

Can't speak to Twitter Sympthsical Jun 2020 #129

It's all very generalized, judgmental attacks. Ilsa Jun 2020 #134

That is giving them far too much credit and won't bother them in the least. Jamastiene Jun 2020 #106

That means men successful with women treestar Jun 2020 #192

It doesn't Sympthsical Jun 2020 #197

It not being the worst thing to ever happen doesn't mean it's not unpleasant treestar Jun 2020 #199

Exactly DeminPennswoods Jun 2020 #74

My brother's name is John mcar Jun 2020 #114

It is neither. SoonerPride Jun 2020 #4

What do you do... Newest Reality Jun 2020 #7

And how long have those been around? Ms. Toad Jun 2020 #35

Not true. John was a common name in England at the time the name pnwmom Jun 2020 #50

Doesn't bother me BannonsLiver Jun 2020 #9

1. The name was never the number one name in late 1950s Ilsa Jun 2020 #11

Thank you. PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2020 #14

If "bitch" is sexist, why isn't "karen"? nt Ilsa Jun 2020 #16

I follow a Karen and she doesn't get upset over the term JonLP24 Jun 2020 #17

Good for her. Why not just use a more descriptive Ilsa Jun 2020 #20

I'm more upset at the racism JonLP24 Jun 2020 #22

I'm more upset by the racism, too. Ilsa Jun 2020 #70

I don't use it myself JonLP24 Jun 2020 #71

It's another form of sexism and discrimination Ilsa Jun 2020 #73

yeah CatWoman Jun 2020 #18

It's not even the most popular name of the sixties. nt Ilsa Jun 2020 #21

Men are out of control and controlling, too. kcr Jun 2020 #13

Women should call them "Ken" CountAllVotes Jun 2020 #32

Agreed. That is what makes this labeling (whatever label is used) sexist. n/t Ms. Toad Jun 2020 #37

White women have a particular status in our racist culture gollygee Jun 2020 #65

This. Tipperary Jun 2020 #82

That's because they are called police officers. Blasphemer Jun 2020 #177

What i LIKE about the choice of the name Karen Lucinda Jun 2020 #25

It's not funny when Ilsa Jun 2020 #72

Wtf? PTWB Jun 2020 #77

Then why do people go with popular names and avoid Ilsa Jun 2020 #81

If someone is going to judge you based upon your name... PTWB Jun 2020 #86

We don't always have a choice. We have jobs to apply for, Ilsa Jun 2020 #89

Karen Bass is one of my favorite politicians. PTWB Jun 2020 #90

Mine, too. Yet her name has become a SLUR. I doubt she likes it. Ilsa Jun 2020 #94

It makes sense to me. PTWB Jun 2020 #97

Its juvenile and misogynistic: Ilsa Jun 2020 #100

There are many women here telling you it is not misogynistic. PTWB Jun 2020 #102

I always wonder who "we" is gollygee Jun 2020 #107

We get to decide if it is appropriate here on DU PTWB Jun 2020 #108

Discomfort about white privilege is healthy gollygee Jun 2020 #109

The example of the vet in this thread shows that it has gone beyond Ilsa Jun 2020 #133

I missed the example, what post #? PTWB Jun 2020 #142

Here: racism had nothing to do with it. Ilsa Jun 2020 #145

I agree that Karen wasn't used appropriately there. PTWB Jun 2020 #149

Go ahead, just toss anecdotals that don't suit you. Ilsa Jun 2020 #159

What? PTWB Jun 2020 #160

You said the vet story was an exercise in creative writing. Ilsa Jun 2020 #185

That isn't what I meant. PTWB Jun 2020 #189

Really? You didn't even notice the sexism on the Aunt Karen label. MrsCoffee Jun 2020 #146

I recognize the value in being able to "out" persons exploiting white privilege PTWB Jun 2020 #147

You've already witnessed it turn misogynistic. MrsCoffee Jun 2020 #148

It definitely has the potential to be misused. PTWB Jun 2020 #150

I don't make assumptions about people based upon anything but their actions, and I don't Lucinda Jun 2020 #112

Lol, ok! Nt USALiberal Jun 2020 #105

LOL, ok! nt USALiberal Jun 2020 #194

So true! CountAllVotes Jun 2020 #26

The vet was a total Karen? PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2020 #44

Other people do Sewa Jun 2020 #29

It's a deflection StarfishSaver Jun 2020 #30

This, exactly mcar Jun 2020 #120

Circling the wagons is the default StarfishSaver Jun 2020 #124

Using it offends some people. egduj Jun 2020 #34

That is the way I feel about the Washington Redskins JonLP24 Jun 2020 #36

Agreed. It would hurt no one of substance to change it. egduj Jun 2020 #40

EXACTLY! Ilsa Jun 2020 #84

You're comparing white women being called Karen to the Tomahawk chop of the Atlanta Braves? nt gollygee Jun 2020 #99

It's racist behavior. nt Ilsa Jun 2020 #143

If Dems lose the vote of even one person because of it, it's one too many. gulliver Jun 2020 #38

Hmmm..This did occur to me CatLady78 Jun 2020 #61

What if we lose the vote of .. PTWB Jun 2020 #80

It's not an either/or proposition. Ilsa Jun 2020 #95

The poster up thread said losing one persons vote was too many. PTWB Jun 2020 #101

Notice that we are supposed to make sure not a single white potential voter should ever StarfishSaver Jun 2020 #174

Yes gollygee Jun 2020 #176

I've noticed that over and over. PTWB Jun 2020 #178

Seriously? StarfishSaver Jun 2020 #110

You seriously think someone will vote R instead of D mcar Jun 2020 #121

White fragility and avoiding discomfort gollygee Jun 2020 #130

But that's what the whole discussion is mcar Jun 2020 #153

I think I replied to the wrong post gollygee Jun 2020 #154

Gotcha mcar Jun 2020 #156

There are some very nice women named Karen. tinrobot Jun 2020 #39

How do you feel about the good Johns? PTWB Jun 2020 #83

Wow you're REALLY invested in this BannonsLiver Jun 2020 #161

Invested in what? PTWB Jun 2020 #162

There there BannonsLiver Jun 2020 #164

Hugs to you too! PTWB Jun 2020 #165

It is my name and i think it is stupud bedazzled Jun 2020 #104

I thought it was funny until babylonsister Jun 2020 #41

This offends me.... Xolodno Jun 2020 #45

"Bye, Felicia" and "Sure, Jan" instantly come to mind. betsuni Jun 2020 #51

Lighten up, Francis. nt. Mariana Jun 2020 #91

If Karen's shoes fit, they should wear 'em. n/t CousinIT Jun 2020 #47

+100000 Celerity Jun 2020 #55

It's just another tool people can use to make someone look "less than". KY_EnviroGuy Jun 2020 #53

Some people, because of their behavior, deserve to be mocked and treated with contempt. Kaleva Jun 2020 #58

+1 n/t ChazII Jun 2020 #67

I agree. phylny Jun 2020 #85

Exactly. It's a mindless put-down. tinrobot Jun 2020 #136

It was started on Reddit by a guy who was divorcing his wife named Karen LeftInTX Jun 2020 #54

Yeah. Used to describe the horrible racist/privileged behavior of some is one thing, but hlthe2b Jun 2020 #56

Based on how dug in some posters are Ilsa Jun 2020 #92

Yup, and has now morphed into a stealth way to call a woman a bitch obamanut2012 Jun 2020 #57

Generalizing about a group of people treestar Jun 2020 #59

It's generalizing about behavior gollygee Jun 2020 #64

I thought it was wrong to say "only some" of any group deemed privileged treestar Jun 2020 #68

We are all privileged gollygee Jun 2020 #69

Aren't white women an oppressed group too, or at least all women? treestar Jun 2020 #191

White women are oppressed but are also oppressors gollygee Jun 2020 #195

No one is trying to control anything treestar Jun 2020 #200

Great reply. nt Celerity Jun 2020 #128

The term is specifically used for white women who weaponize their whiteness gollygee Jun 2020 #60

I think it interesting that there are no effective derogatory names for white males Kaleva Jun 2020 #62

There was one, but obviously callous hostility is far more satisfyingly Hortensis Jun 2020 #75

Well stated. Thank you. nt Ilsa Jun 2020 #98

I haven't noticed a connection. Kaleva Jun 2020 #180

Me neither. I'd skip the poll. :) This is DU, after all. Hortensis Jun 2020 #181

You are on the wrong side of this! nt USALiberal Jun 2020 #63

Who names their son Adolf any more? Ilsa Jun 2020 #76

How about we not sink to the level of DeminPennswoods Jun 2020 #78

Thank you. nt Ilsa Jun 2020 #96

Lance and Biff were always used in a derogatory KatyMan Jun 2020 #87

White privilege ismnotwasm Jun 2020 #88

Thank you StarfishSaver Jun 2020 #111

Exactly ismnotwasm Jun 2020 #141

I just wish there was a word for the males too. Jamastiene Jun 2020 #103

I don't agree that "Bigots are proud of themselves for being bigots" StarfishSaver Jun 2020 #116

When they get called on it, a lot of the times they dig in their heels and act proud of it. Jamastiene Jun 2020 #140

Kevin is actually used to describe similar type men RhodeIslandOne Jun 2020 #157

It's either Kevin or Chad... MontanaMama Jun 2020 #190

Kick mcar Jun 2020 #113

STG watching white women fall to pieces over the term "Karen" pretty much establishes why such a WhiskeyGrinder Jun 2020 #115

+1 betsuni Jun 2020 #118

No doubt gollygee Jun 2020 #122

+100000 Celerity Jun 2020 #126

IKR? StarfishSaver Jun 2020 #127

Pretty hilarious. betsuni Jun 2020 #132

Fall to pieces? phylny Jun 2020 #167

If you've got a different way to call out and identify white women acting in racist ways toward WhiskeyGrinder Jun 2020 #168

Thanks for giving me permission. phylny Jun 2020 #184

exactly, a Karen embodies white privilege, entitlement, racism, and white fragility Celerity Jun 2020 #119

Some of us are named Karen spinbaby Jun 2020 #123

My mom was named Karen. roamer65 Jun 2020 #125

Many folks named John don't patronize hookers PTWB Jun 2020 #138

+100000 Celerity Jun 2020 #144

I just feel the joke has run its course. Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2020 #135

The meme will go away if it's run its course gollygee Jun 2020 #137

Memes "going away" and still remaining funny are two very different concepts. Tommy_Carcetti Jun 2020 #139

The problem with "Karen" MrsCheaplaugh Jun 2020 #151

Explain, please mcar Jun 2020 #155

Karen was created in the service industry, mostly young people, dealing with "demanding" middle age LizBeth Jun 2020 #163

"Using it now for bigoted women is a totally different usage." mcar Jun 2020 #166

It was created by a guy on Reddit who was divorcing a woman named Karen LeftInTX Jun 2020 #172

Yes. I didn't know where it came from but didn't like it after the first chuckle. Yes, it is all LizBeth Jun 2020 #183

It isn't exclusive in that if nothing, they now have all white privileged woman falling in the Karen LizBeth Jun 2020 #182

Using a label customerserviceguy Jun 2020 #158

"The particular group" is white women displaying entitled and racist behavior. "Karen" describes a WhiskeyGrinder Jun 2020 #171

But if we can't redirect every discussion about racism into a conversation about the victimization StarfishSaver Jun 2020 #173

They will tell of the days when we marched because someone got called a Karen on NextDoor for WhiskeyGrinder Jun 2020 #175

It is what humans do. Caliman73 Jun 2020 #179

you Midoris are all alike. KG Jun 2020 #169

Any sense of understanding for or interest inwhat others might be feeling? BannonsLiver Jun 2020 #170

Here is what I see the issue with the Karen thing is, and living it in personal experience, as I LizBeth Jun 2020 #186

Good post. Tipperary Jun 2020 #196

Its just simply shitty Cosmocat Jun 2020 #193

some are well meaning SiliconValley_Dem Jun 2020 #198

I never realized that Karen was limited to just white people till now fescuerescue Jun 2020 #201