Karen D New Story.

My story about name shaming started in June and July 2020. I noticed TikToks, Tabloids, YouTube videos and Facebook updates using my name consistently to describe racist women (not using their actual name) and aborrently behaved women. I'll admit that originally I was frustrated it was my name being used but probably would have carried on without feeling the need to defend us on national tv. When I went public about this name shaming fad it came across to many that it was about me only and it really wasn't. It's actually about all women of all names. What people didn't know was that I'd become part of a large group of women who felt the same way, they are very hurt, bullied and ridiculed daily and I was talking about us all. Unfortunately I was unable to really share my views on this subject at the time. 

I knew I would be ridiculed for standing up for us on TV, it went hand in hand with the subject matter and did in fact prove my point entirely.  It was also one of the reasons we were hunted down by a show, because it was inevitable it would be sensationalist and create revenue. I knew people would say there are more important things to worry about, and of course that's true but I'll let you into a secret this isn't the only thing I do �

Knowing all this beforehand I did it anyway and I'll tell you why...

This is bigger than one name, this is bigger than me and the group I belong to. This is one of the last acceptable ways to cover or hide misogny, ageism and sexism, and people are swept up in the perceived stereotype which categorises people. Example: The stereotype for a Karen is middle aged white woman who's entitled. This simply isn't true of all people named Karen. People named Karen are all races, young and old and in-between. Karen isn't any one definition, all women are different, we all have weaknesses and strengths, some of us do make mistakes and some of us are decent law abiding people. What we are not collectively is every social sin. You'll be treated in a hospital by a Dr called Karen, or someone will defend you in the street and their name will be Karen. Caregivers, charity workers many many decent people with this name. 

Karen is used to shut people up without recourse. It is designed to tell women they have no voice. Women of any name should find that massively offensive, because it could have been your name. Trust me if it was you'd have struggled with people telling you that your inconsequential that you don't matter, that you deserve nothing. 

The Karen slur is clever, it's almost impossible to fight against, it's been manufactured to be clever. Any comment on this subject regardless of your personal history gets you put into the entitled category if you speak out. Or a unnecessary complainer, and a women who is no longer allowed a voice no matter who they are.

I will tell you now hiding misogny and ageism behind a name, we see you, we really do. We understand what you're saying but you're too embarrassed to admit it out loud.  If you misogynistic or ageist be confident, have courage in your convictions, do not to hide it behind a name, that's weakness.  As for hiding aborrently behaved women behind a name that isnt theirs only serves no purpose, it hides the shameful women and brings decent women into the fold to take the blame. 

Using the Karen slur defines you not us, it defines you as either ageist or misogynistic.

Finally I do take it personally as a women. A women who will fight for all women to be equal, have a right to be heard, have a right to speak..you will not silence us no matter how hard you try to do it. 

Peace and love always we stand with all women.