The very first "Karen".

[G2theD]

[a kennedy]

1. 😂 🤣 😂

[brush]

2. I don't get it, she looks like a POC herself instead of...

middle aged white woman complaining to the cops about innocent Black people just living their lives.

[dchill]

3. Margaret Hamilton, actress.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hamilton_(actress)

[brush]

4. And that somehow explains the post?

You do know what a "karen" means nowadays, right?

[G2theD]

6. It's alright if you don't get the joke.

[brush]

7. Do you know what a "karen" is? If so, explain the joke.

[G2theD]

8. I guess you never saw the beginning of the Wizard of Oz.

[brush]

9. You don't know, do you?

[G2theD]

10. If you don't get the joke, move on.

I’m trying to have some fun here. Why so aggressive?

[brush]

11. Aggresive? The joke doesn't make sense in terms of what...

a "karen" is.

[G2theD]

12. I know what a Karen is. Do you?

Karen is a pejorative term for a white woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is normal. The term is often portrayed in memes depicting white women who use their white privilege to demand their own way.

[brush]

13. Woohoo. You got it mostly, except the part you left out about the "karens"...

calling the police on innocent POCs (usually Black) just living their lives.

[G2theD]

14. That is not part of the definition.

Karens can act that way towards white people too. Or maybe you only THINK you know what a Karen is.

Is this really the way you want to spend your time this evening?

[brush]

15. I was right. You don't know. Look up BBQ Becky.

[G2theD]

16. Maybe this will help you.

Kansas State University professor Heather Suzanne Woods, whose research interests include memes, said a Karen's defining characteristics are a sense of entitlement, a willingness and desire to complain, and a self-centered approach to interacting with others. According to Woods, 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, agrees, saying a Karen doesn't view others as individuals and instead moves "through the world prepared to fight faceless conglomerate of lesser-than people who won't give her what she wants and feels she deserves."

[brush]

17. I don't care what that says, those who know, know.

And you and that academic apparently don't.

[G2theD]

20. You are the one that is clueless.

[delisen]

22. And what is the male name for such a person?

and if there is a male label, why is it only the female name that has gained currency?

It is because the people are gleeful over the Karen meme are protecting a patriarchal system. They are not willing to ridicule men.

There is nothing new about scapegoating in patriarchal civilizations.

[G2theD]

23. Ok Karen.

[G2theD]

24. Male name is Ken.

[delisen]

25. Where are all the Ken-ridiculings? Somehow it's only about females.nt

[G2theD]

26. That's all I ever see.

[Not Heidi]

79. Just as blonde jokes are about women.

I enjoy making the blonde one a man. Surprises a lot of people.

[brush]

52. FYI: Here's a video of the latest, racist karen incident.

[BlackSkimmer]

40. She was trying to get Dorothy's dog taken away as a dangerous animal.

I get the joke.

I used to be terrified by that scene.

[delisen]

18. Because it isn't funny. Witch jokes are not funny now.Alito might laugh

Send it to Alito. He might get a chuckle out of it

What I see see in this still photo labeled 1923 is a woman trying to get somewhere on a bicycle while hobbled by a long skirt. It was in 1923 that an Attorney General of the US declared women free to wear pants, an enlightened view at the time. It was ignored throughout much of the country by men in power. Female senators could not wear slacks in the Senate until the 1990s.

It was after all not until 1920 that women after a 70 year battle won the right to vote. So I see a very different image than you apparently see.

Maybe since the days of women being labeled wicked witches is with us again, and rights of women won 50 years ago have been reversed by a majority male Supreme Court it would be in the spirit of equality to poke fun at the males instead of females.

Maybe it’s a good time to not uphold a patriarchal, inherently unequal system. It’s women who will be dying for want of medical care.

[G2theD]

19. Wow. Just wow.

[Phoenix61]

28. Some people have no sense of humor.

I thought the meme was very funny.

[G2theD]

31. Yeah, to make such a big deal out of a stupid meme is stupefying to me.

I was told that there were not any assholes on this site. I guess I just found out the hard way.

Thanks for your support!

[BlackSkimmer]

41. She played a mean woman in a movie.

She only became a witch in Dorothy's dream.

Just as the farm hands became the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and The Tin Man.


It was a young girl's dream. Wow.

[G2theD]

45. And the picture was of her as a crotchety old lady

Some just like to see the worst in people.

[BlackSkimmer]

46. No kidding...

Honestly, I can't quite understand what the problem is here.

[Maraya1969]

27. Karen's don't have to be racist; just entitled will work.

[G2theD]

32. Thank you. I can't believe I'm being attacked over this.

[BlackSkimmer]

42. I got the joke. This thread is a hoot.

I actually feel sorry for anyone who never saw the Wizard of OZ.

Margaret Hamilton later became the star of those coffee commercials. Folger's?

[G2theD]

44. Really? I wonder if any are in youtube.

I don’t remember that but I was probably a little kid.

[BlackSkimmer]

47. It might be Maxwell House.

They were really popular commercials. I think it had the perking sound in it.

I was very young, but I vaguely remember them. I remember being gobsmacked when I later learned she was the woman I'd been so afraid of in that movie!

[whistler162]

50. Yup that is the usual problem

with most racist/sexist/homophobic joke makers!

[G2theD]

51. I am none of those things

So tell me, what was the problem?

[G2theD]

54. I would like you to tell me what was racist, sexist, or homophobic in any of my posts.

[Not Heidi]

80. Nor can I. Good joke btw. n/t

[brush]

35. There's usually a racist aspect to it.

The "Karen" meme is being used to describe women who commit acts in public that are perceived to be racist, such as unjustly calling the police on Black people.
The meme, often combined with the "Can I speak to the manager?" haircut, is used as a "pejorative for middle-aged white women"

https://www.insider.com/karen-meme-origin-the-history-of-calling-women-karen-white-2020-5

[dchill]

29. She played the Wicked Witch of the West in...

"The Wizard of Oz." The famous line she delivered: "I'll get you, my pretty!" - followed by much evil cackling. I GET the joke. It's too bad if you don't!

[G2theD]

33. Thank you. Kinda sad, int it?

[brush]

34. Read and learn.

The "Karen" meme is being used to describe women who commit acts in public that are perceived to be racist, such as unjustly calling the police on Black people.
The meme, often combined with the "Can I speak to the manager?" haircut, is used as a "pejorative for middle-aged white women"

https://www.insider.com/karen-meme-origin-the-history-of-calling-women-karen-white-2020-5

[dchill]

36. I thought it was more about the "white privilege" strain.

Anyway:
joke
/jōk/
noun
a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline.

Read/learn.

[brush]

37. It wasn't funny and there is a racist aspect to it.

God. Is there short term memory loss rampant on DU now? No one seems to remember BBQ Becky and Pool Patrol Patty anymore, how the "karen" meme began?

[dchill]

38. I thought/think it was funny.

It's a right.

[brush]

39. You're right. It's your right.

But the OP poster doesn't seem to know about the racist aspect to the meme.

[G2theD]

57. If it's racist, it's racist against white people.

Being white, I am not offended by black people pointing out racism by white people.

Are you a racist? You seem overly concerned.

Or do you just like to be holier than thou?

[brush]

59. I'm not a fan of re-writing history, or short-term memory loss...

you and others on this thread seem to have.

Have you taken time to research BBQ Becky and Pool Patrol Patty, two of the early racist white women from which the karen meme evolved?

If not, here's a video of the latest racist karen from just a couple of days ago. You really need to bone up on the history of the meme if you're going to post karen jokes.

[G2theD]

60. If I am a racist then so are you.

[brush]

61. Oh, please. I didn't say you were a racist, just that...

you seem to have a memory loss about the racist aspects of the karen meme. Pls look up the two examples that I cite, and also the one in NYC's Central Park, an infamous example of a white woman calling cops on an innocent Black birder who asked her to lease her dog as required in the restricted area they were in.

I repeat, I'm not calling you a racist. I just think you're a little uninformed about the karen meme.

[G2theD]

65. There was nothing about racism in the meme!

Mrs. Gulch was being a Karen to other white people in the movie. A Karen does not necessarily involve a person of another race.

Just because that’s all you see on the internet doesn’t mean anything because if you look up the definition it is a woman who sticks their nose into other peoples business.

Could we just agree to disagree? I just don’t like arguing back and forth with no resolution. You won’t convince me what I posted is racist and apparently there is no convincing you that it’s not. Good day.

[brush]

67. Let's just agree to leave it alone. I'm done.

[G2theD]

68. Thank you. I appreciate that.

[BlackSkimmer]

71. Thank you.

For whatever reason this person has latched on to the Wicked Witch being a racist thing.

Damn, that's a stretch.

Nothing you posted was racist. It was funny, and a shame someone had to try and twist it. That character in the movie was indeed a "Karen", trying to take little Toto away!

This place sometimes...

[G2theD]

72. Thanks! Yeah, I'm a bit disillusioned and disappointed.

[BlackSkimmer]

73. Don't be. I thought it was so true. And funny.

Odd that the poster somehow thought Margaret Hamilton was a black woman.

[G2theD]

74. I'm sure I've seen stranger things, but I cant remember any offhand.

[BlackSkimmer]

75. Lol, if you mean here, just stick around awhile.

[G2theD]

76. My eyes are opening, that's for sure.

I always thought this was supposed to be a place where democrats could respectfully discuss the issues. If you call someone a ‘bad’ name you get in trouble, but if you insult someone relentlessly it seems to be A-OK.

I had someone accuse me of all kinds of things that were not true and including issues that had nothing to do with the thread. Someone responded and agreed with me, and I said “yeah, what a dick” and that post was deleted, but all the harassment that led to me saying he was a dick, that was apparently just fine.

It’s sad.

[BlackSkimmer]

43. I don't remember any racism in the Wizard of Oz.

[G2theD]

56. There is no racist aspect to it

And if you find it funny, fine, but you don’t have to crap on other peoples fun.

[BlackSkimmer]

48. There were plenty of "Karens" both male and female at the condo my parents lived in before

Last edited Sat Aug 6, 2022, 03:06 PM - Edit history (1)

their deaths.

Nothing at all to do with race. Simply busybodies always up in people's business.

I remember being challenged as I walked up the stairs one day by a hateful old man, and we were both white.

[brush]

58. FYI: There was ususally a racist aspect to the karen meme.

Look up BBQ Becky, Pool Patrol Patty, just two examples of the many racist white women calling cops on innocent Black men. And the other high-profile one whose meme nick name I can't remember. The woman in NYC's Central Park who called the cops on a Black birder who asked her to lease her dog as required in the area they were in.

And here's a video of the lastest racist, white woman calling cops on an innocent Black man. She even says to him: "You've a Black man approaching a white woman," as if that is an extreme, scaru act against the law. I can't believe how many here chose forget the racist aspect of most karen incidents that sent many Black me to jail.

[BlackSkimmer]

62. I understand what you're saying, but you're missing the point.

A Karen is simply an officious person who want to meddle. Many are men, often telling women they shouldn't walk alone, should smile more, should dress differently etc.

I don't need to look up those instances, I remember them quite well.

All good for you that you've never met a "Karen" because I have, and believe you me, they are equal opportunity assholes.

[brush]

64. IMO you're leaving out a huge part of the whole karen meme.

But keep on doing what you're doing as I'm done with this. The history can't be re-written even though many seem to be trying to.

[G2theD]

63. Yes. That is what a Karen is.

Apparently white Karens yelling at black people is what we see on the internet, but there are many white on white Karens. I think most people have or will run into one in their lifetime.

I haven’t been on this site long, but it seems some people are looking for any reason, valid or not, to virtue signal.

I’m thinking seriously of not posting at all. If this keeps happening I’ll have a very bad opinion of DU.

If you call someone a ‘dick’, and not even to their face, your post gets deleted, but if you harass people for no good reason the mods let it stand. That’s whats starting to piss me off!

[G2theD]

69. Thank you.

And if the meme is racist it’s not racism towards black people (except for the Karen), but people like the meme because it shows how dumb and racist some white women are.

The meme’s (where racism is involved) purpose is to make fun of and lambaste the Karen, not the person on the receiving end.

[G2theD]

66. You should read and learn then.

Kansas State University professor Heather Suzanne Woods, whose research interests include memes, said a Karen's defining characteristics are a sense of entitlement, a willingness and desire to complain, and a self-centered approach to interacting with others. According to Woods, 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, agrees, saying a Karen doesn't view others as individuals and instead moves "through the world prepared to fight faceless conglomerate of lesser-than people who won't give her what she wants and feels she deserves."

[BlackSkimmer]

70. Exactly this.

Sad, but true.

[whistler162]

49. It is a name associated with females

unless you are referring to the sexist usage!

[G2theD]

5. She is a POC!

[BlackSkimmer]

53. Margaret Hamilton was not a POC.

[Blue Owl]

21. ...and your little dog, too!

[dchill]

30. Yes, indeed!

[roamer65]

55. Phyllis Schlafly.

Now that was a woman I could hate.

[Mr.Bill]

77. I don't get the 1923 date.

The Wizard of Oz was filmed in 1939.

[G2theD]

78. You're right.

I don’t know who created it but they were mistaken about the date.

[G2theD]

81. Actually, I just looked it up.

The book was written in 1900, so I suppose the time period was around then.

[Mr.Bill]

82. That makes sense.

Hamilton was born in 1902.