Karen is a slang 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. Depictions include demanding to "speak to the manager", being racist, or wearing a particular bob cut hairstyle. A notable example was the Central Park birdwatching incident in 2020. The term has been considered pejorative by those who believe it is sexist, ageist, classist, and is used to control women's behavior. As of 2020, the term increasingly appeared in media and social media as a general criticism of middle class white women, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests. The term has also been applied to male behavior. The Guardian called 2020 "the year of Karen".
