A new analysis has identified the top states for Karens — that is to say, areas where “Karen” incidents often occur.
What does being a ‘Karen’ mean?
In recent months, the term “Karen” as become synonymous with being someone who complains about really minor incidents — usually at a Target or department store — or about teenage/young behavior.
Becoming a “Karen” — or a “Target Tori” or “Kroger Andy” — often leads to public shaming. Ordinary people get shamed for doing whatever they do in public.
So where will you find ‘Karens’ in the U.S.?
BeenVerified, a leading public data company, reviewed 150 incidents from the past 2.5 years across the country “in which white people were caught on video calling police or security on people of color for seemingly trumped-up crimes,” the company said in a release.
- California — 26 incidents (17% of total incidents)
- New York — 17 incidents (11% of total incidents)
- Georgia — 8 incidents (5% of total incidents)
- North Carolina — 8 incidents (5% of total incidents)
- Florida — 6 (4% of total incidents)
‘Karen’ might be the wrong term
Funny enough, the incidents did not include people named “Karen.” Nor did they include people named Ken, Chad, Gail, Paula or Patty, which are often used to replace Karen.
- “All people named Karen are right to feel they are being unfairly singled out,” according to BeenVerified.