Nowadays, being called a “Karen” is not something to be proud of, and it can get you into trouble with the law.
In 2020, the term “Karen” became popular as a label used for white women who were seen in viral social media videos, engaging in what could be considered to be racist acts or speech. A major feature of the “Karen” stereotype is that they use their “white privilege” against people of color – notably, in cases where they make complaints to the police, often untrue or racist, against black people, when they feel threatened.
A Florida woman was charged with a misdemeanor and accused of being a “Karen,” after a confrontation on Instagram with NFL star, Terrell Owens, went viral last August.
The woman, whose real name is Caitlin Davis, 38, has gained embarrassing notoriety and is charged with providing false information to the police. She told police that the black football player tried to run her off the road while she was bicycling in a Deerfield Beach gated community where they both live.
The police report says Davis told the cops that Owens was speeding and went through a stop sign. She claims Owens exited his car and approached her after she confronted him about his driving.
Police say that the surveillance footage shows a different picture of what happened, and now she is being charged three months after the incident.
Owens, who played football for many teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, recorded the incident on his cell phone when the police arrived, and posted it on Instagram for all his followers to see.
In the video clip on Instagram, you can hear Davis yelling that Owens almost hit her. Owens replies, “Now you’re making stuff up. Just like a Karen.”
And then, after more back and forth arguing, Davis blurts out the final words that made her famous, “You’re a black man approaching a white woman.”
Oops.
The story and video went viral, resulting in Owens appearing on the television show “Good Morning America.” He said that he didn’t say anything when Davis made the comment, and kept his cool, but that what she said was clearly racist.
“I think that kind of says what you want to know about the situation,” he said.
Owens says he felt threatened in the incident, because the incident could have turned out different if the “wrong cops” had come to the scene of the dispute.
Moral of the story: If you don’t want to see your photo plastered all over the internet making you look bad, don’t do what this Florida woman did.
