July 1, 2023 • 3 min read
Entitled, demanding, unreasonable – these are but a few of the traits that have come to define the modern Karen. You're probably familiar with the term, which has taken on a life of its own in the digital age. With the advent of smartphones and social media, anyone can record and share instances of these viral Karens in the wild. In this post, we're going to examine some of the most high-profile public Karen meltdowns in recent history. Strap in, it's about to get wild.
The Central Park Karen, Amy Cooper, made headlines in May 2020 when she threatened to call the police on a Black bird-watcher, Christian Cooper (no relation), claiming that he was threatening her life. In reality, he had simply asked her to leash her dog in line with the park's rules (source). This incident showcased the dangerous potential of Karen behavior, leading to Amy losing her job and facing legal repercussions.
In July 2020, a woman, later dubbed as 'Starbucks Karen', refused to wear a mask inside a Starbucks store, despite store policies and guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Starbucks employee who asked her to wear a mask was berated and later vindicated when an online fundraiser to support him raised over $100,000 (source).
A woman shopping at Trader Joe's in North Hollywood went viral when she threw a tantrum after being asked to wear a mask. The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed her shouting, “Democratic pigs! All of you!” This incident became a poignant example of the politicization of public health measures during the pandemic (source).
In a bizarre incident at a Victoria's Secret store in 2021, a woman, later known as 'Victoria's Secret Karen', was recorded having a complete meltdown after realizing she was being filmed following a dispute with another customer. Her histrionic response, which included screaming, crying, and pretending to faint, created quite a spectacle (source).
So, what is it that drives these notorious Karen incidents? At their core, they seem to stem from a sense of entitlement and disregard for others' boundaries. If you're keen on understanding how to identify such behavior, check out our blog post titled "Karens in the Wild: A Guide to Identifying the Species".
The internet has undoubtedly played a significant role in the Karen phenomenon. The ubiquity of smartphones and social media platforms means that anyone can record and share these incidents, leading to both public shaming and discussions about societal norms. One such shocking incident involving a bus driver can be seen in this video. However, it's important to remember that while these clips can provide us with a glimpse into these individuals' behavior, they do not represent the entirety of their character or their life circumstances.
The 'Karen' stereotype, while often providing fodder for internet memes and social commentary, serves as a window into the more serious issues of entitlement, privilege, and social norms. As we continue to navigate the digital age, we must strive for empathy and understanding, even as we hold individuals accountable for their actions.