Curiosity, Humor, Names, Social Media, Women

Knock it Off

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I wonder who on earth came up with the idea to refer to an American female who exudes privilege and demands to speak to your manager, “Karen”?

If their identity was ever determined, I’d ask them “Why….just why?” Was there a woman named Karen that hurt them?

Think of all the wonderful women named Karen out there. My aunt, who spelled her name “Karyn”, God rest her soul, was a wonderful human being. She gave great hugs, had a boisterous laugh, and loved her family fiercely. It warmed my heart when I received a Christmas card from her, maybe a year before she passed, in which she wrote, “I love you”.

Then there’s Karen, the lady who was the program director for the non-profit I work at prior to my employment there, who always finds time to volunteer to help our clients.

And the wonderful, big-hearted, kind, and faithful Karen I knew and admired so much from the church Mr. NOA and I attended in the early to mid-2000’s.

If one must come up with one single female name for this type of woman, shouldn’t it be Judith?

Amanda Peet as Judith in a favorite comedy of mine, “Saving Silverman”

I’m kidding around here a bit, but bear with me.

Imagine your name is Karen. Or Judith, for that matter. Your name-the one your parents lovingly gave you, has been co-opted. Your name is now synonymous with this image of an uptight, screechy, demanding woman who is shunned from society based on her actions.

That’s got to suck, right?

This is but a minor example of how social media has given us permission to spout off in judgement of others. It’s not healthy for any of us. I am guilty of spouting off and I imagine you are too. It’s human nature. But not the best of human nature.

I think those of us using the name “Karen” in this way ought to knock it off. Surely, if we feel compelled to call out the abhorrent behavior of a female in public, there’s got to be a way to refer to said female beyond using an actual legit name. Maybe call her “Cruella”, or “Maleficent”? Just a thought.

To no one’s surprise, I’m certain, I’m going to sign off with a song performed by a most beloved “Karen”. Her voice is the auditory version of butter, don’t you think?

***Image of Judith courtesy of https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Saving-Silverman-Blu-ray/29787/***

7 thoughts on “Knock it Off”

  1. With you! I feel for all the beloved and dear women named Karen, but I clearly need to catch up about Judith and “Saving Silverman”. Thanks for the smile this afternoon. I adore Karen Carpenter…forever and always. Carpenters’ music puts me in the best kind of melancholy mood. Thanks, Rhonda! 🥰

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    1. Love it! Saving Silverman is such a funny movie. It’s absolutely ridiculous! Songs from the Carpenters, to me, are the rare ones that I don’t generally sing along to because of Karen’s rich, one-of-a-kind voice. Thanks for commenting 🙂

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  2. I feel the same way. I know many wonderful Karens whose name now means something they aren’t. I know that they are good Karens who are rising above the bad Karen image, but why must they? And how about Brandons, their name has a dubious connotation now too.

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  4. You know Rhonda, I’ve wondered the same thing. Probably the person who coined the idea and selected the name had a difficult personal in their life named Karen. Unfortunately it diminished the good name of every other Karen.
    And oh yes to Karen Carpenter’s silky voice.
    Great post!

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