Three women called Karen are campaigning to ‘take back their name’ after internet meme

Three women called Karen have been mocked by This Morning viewers for suggesting they are victims of discrimination as a result of their name.    

The term ‘Karen’ has become widespread on social media over the last few years and refers to a stereotypical middle-class white woman, whose behaviour is a result of her privilege. 

Karen Masters, from Oxfordshire, Karen Serfass, from Pennsylvania and Karen Triggs, from Gloucestershire appeared on the show to speak about the term – and agreed when host Eamon Holmes said it was ‘almost racist’ to use the term. 

Karen Masters said that ‘as Karens’ they were unable to speak about how the meme has affected their lives, because they fear being labelled ‘entitled’ and insisted that Karens ‘just aren’t that sort of person’.  

One of the Karens even admitted she’s changing her name, because she wants to prevent the negative connotations from ‘affecting her on a deeper level’ – revealing she’s even sometimes forced to hide her name tag at work. 

Karen Masters, (left) from Oxfordshire, Karen Serfass,(middle)  from Pennsylvania and Karen Triggs (right), from Gloucestershire appeared on This Morning, to speak about the widespread ‘Karen’ meme

The term ‘Karen’ has become widespread on social media over the last few years and refers to a stereotypical middle-class white woman and Masters agreed when host Eamon Holmes (pictured top)  said it was ‘almost racist’ to use the term 

‘It all started off a couple of months ago’,  said Masters. ‘I noticed some memes on TikTok and it was quite funny to begin with. But when the Black Lives Matter protests started and there was a lot of media saying Karen’s were racist, it took on a life of it’s own. 

‘I feel we can’t, as Karen’s, can’t talk about how this is affecting us, because then we are entitled if we do this. So I set up a Change.org to say this is not fair, us having to put up with this. 

‘We are labelled as racist and entitled and we are just not that sort of person, and we want the media to stop using our name to describe racist people.’ 

Host Eammon Holmes replied: ‘It’s almost racist to describe you guys as racist.’ 

Twitter users soon picked up on Eammon’s comment, and were quick to point out that being called Karen does not actually make you a member of a certain race

‘Yeah absolutely’, agreed Maters.  

Twitter users soon picked up on Eammon’s comment, and were quick to point out that being called Karen does not actually make you a member of a certain race. 

‘Please tell me I did not just hear Eamon Holmes say that the Karen meme is racist towards people with the name,’ wrote one. ‘Who lets this man on the telly and why are we even discussing this. You’re not oppressed for being called Karen. Move on’. 

Another commented: ‘Eamon? Karen isn’t a race…so nothing racist to see here. Just entitled white women.’ 

‘How can Eamonn say calling someone a Karen is racist?’ said a third. 

Karen Masters felt that ‘as Karens’ they were unable to speak about how the meme has affected their lives, as they fear being labelled ‘entitled’

Karen Triggs went on to speak of her decision to legally change her name from Karen, as she doesn’t want the association to affect her on a ‘deeper level’ 

Karen Triggs went on to speak of her decision to legally change her name, admitting that the negative associations with her name has been ‘spilling into her everyday life’.  

‘I can take a joke,’ she said, ‘But it’s got to the point where people are using the name to describe someone racist, it’s linked to so much bad stuff. 

‘It’s spilling into my everyday life. I want to nip it in the bud and stop it from affecting me on a deeper level.’ 

Despite the efforts of the Karens, viewers didn’t feel too much sympathy for them, with one pointing out that their interview itself seemed to reflect typical Karen behaviour

She added:  ‘At work I have a name badge and I try and hide it behind my hair and people ask my my name and I say “Unfortunately” beforehand.’

Serfass went on: ‘I made the Facebook page back in November back when it wasn’t this nasty, it was kind of a joke actually…Over the last couple of months we had a lot of women joining looking for support.’  

Despite the efforts of the Karens, viewers didn’t feel too much sympathy for them, with one pointing out that their interview itself seemed to reflect typical Karen behaviour.  

Serfass revealed she started a Facebook support group for women called Karen, who turn to the platform for support 

Maters said as they, ‘as Karens’,  fear being labelled ‘entitled’ and insisted that Karens ‘just aren’t that sort of person’ 

‘Poor you Karen, there’s a meme about your name, the audacity! Karens being the definition of a Karen aided by this,’ wrote one. 

Another said: ‘This is genuinely hilarious! How about taking the energy that’s being put into this weird “no more discrimination against Karens!!!” movement and using it for causes that actually matter.’ 

A third agreed: ‘You can change your name from Karen but disabled people, black people, minorities can’t change any part of them and are stuck with something serious. Deal with your name, Karen, because none of us care.’