Guidance for Media & Journalists

Whether it's appropriate to reference Karen may be a tricky question if you're new to the topic, so here's a handy ABC decision tool.

A. What's the subject of your story?

Someone named Karen; a member or members of the Karen ethnolinguistic tribe; a geographical place, entity or language named Karen; legitimate cultural characteristics related to the Karen tribe, language or locations; or a complex fictional character that does not simply fit a stereotype.

Go. Karen is appropriate to use as a name in these contexts.

Someone not named Karen; individual behaviors or characteristics; real-life or fictional stereotypes. 

Stop. It is not appropriate to use "Karen" in these contexts. Try a thesaurus for better words.

B. What's the purpose of your story? 

To describe or include a person, place, or entity that is actually named Karen.

Go. Treat Karen like any other name, avoiding jokes, publicity stunts and double entendres at the expense of the subject.

To discuss the social history or usage of the term "Karen".


Caution. "Karen" should be used only with quotation marks to differentiate it from the identity and with deliberate effort to discourage conflation with the identity.

To entertain, complain or publicize a problematic situation or behavior. 

Stop. "Karen" should be used in this situation only when it is the actual name of an involved person/ethnicity/place etc.

C. What's the tone of your story? 

Ordinary

Go. Use Karen just like you'd use any other personal name or ethnic identity. 

Instructional

Caution. Any usage unrelated to a specific person or entity named Karen should be placed in quotation marks to differentiate it from the identity Karen, and context should clarify that this usage is socially unacceptable.

Sarcastic, Sensational,Alarmist

Stop. Avoid passe, inaccurate & harmful stereotypes.