Karens Are Everywhere — By John Reed

Karens Are Everywhere
Anyone who spends any time at all on social media will know the term “Karen.” For those who may somehow have missed this modern marvel, a Karen is catch-all term for a spoiled person who expects special treatment or thinks they are in charge of a situation when they really aren’t.
Almost always female, almost always white, the stereotype Karen will demand to “speak to a supervisor” or expect some other special treatment. I used to think Karens only lived in big cities or up North. After all, small towns in the south are famous for hospitality and getting along with each other.
Not anymore.
Last week, I was having a …discussion… with my car’s computer while driving near my home. Finally, I pulled over to the side of the road so I could put the vehicle in park to dig deeper into my touchscreen menus to deal with the issue.
Bear in mind country roads rarely have shoulders, so yes, I had my right-hand tires on grass. So while I’m talking to tech support with one hand and entering commands with the other, said grass’s owner (I assumed she was the owner but I digress) came storming out of her house, shouting and gesticulating for me to make my way…elsewhere. Anywhere.
Rolling down my window to explain I was dealing with a car issue and would be leaving post haste, she wasn’t having any of it. Fortunately my computer righted itself about then and I was able to make my escape without further annoying Madame Homeowner.
Later, once I finished laughing about the situation, I started thinking. What if there had been a real emergency? Would the welcome have been as severe? Maybe I should keep some fake blood in the car for the next time.
More importantly, what event in Karen’s life made her such a miserable harridan? Surely she wasn’t born that way: southern parents would have solved that with “attitude adjustments” as needed. So what happened: did rabid dogs invade her home at some point? Thieves or burglars? Worse, Democrats?
There’s no way to tell what goes on in the background that causes the motivations of people. Fortunately the rest of us can say “bless her heart” and move on. But sometimes I’m sorely tempted to stand my ground and try to understand or even reason with them, even though the chances of success are less than finding an honest politician.
Scripture is full of hard-hearted people who either get their comeuppance or see the error of their ways. But I’m not the most scriptural person. Civil discourse is increasingly harder to find, and I’m just not equipped to engage in it every time.
Meanwhile here’s hoping our local Karen got it out of her system and is more forgiving the next time a stranded motorist approaches her royal manor.