Every generation has its bogeyman, except this time it’s not hiding under a bed. It’s standing in line at a grocery store, demanding to speak to the manager, and filming everyone with a phone. I’m talking about Karens. You’ve seen them. You’ve probably cringed at them. And if you’re particularly unlucky, you may have witnessed one of their public freakouts in person. Here’s a rundown of some of the worst (or “best”) real-world Karens the internet can’t stop obsessing over.
1. “Central Park Karen” – Amy Cooper (2020)
Amy Cooper is the perfect example of how to ruin your career in one afternoon. She called the cops on a Black birdwatcher, Christian Cooper, after he politely reminded her to leash her dog in a leashed-dogs-only area. She went on to claim that her life was threatened, which turned out to be—surprise—fake. The clip blew up online because it perfectly illustrated how a false accusation can create real danger. She lost her job, and briefly faced criminal charges for filing a false report. But hey, the bright side? Nobody at work will ask her to do any more spreadsheets.
2. “Permit Patty” – Alison Ettel (2018)
Alison Ettel thought it was a bright idea to call the cops on an 8-year-old girl selling water without a permit. You’d think a friendly neighbor might offer to buy a bottle or just mind their own business. Nope. She went all in and got filmed for the internet’s amusement, which led to her company facing boycotts and her eventual resignation. Let that be a lesson: harassing little kids is never a good career move.
3. “Barbecue Becky” – Jennifer Schulte (2018)
Some people spend their weekends enjoying a nice meal with family. Jennifer Schulte apparently prefers to get on the phone with 911 to complain about Black families doing the unthinkable: grilling in a public park. The police showed up, confirmed there was no violation, and the internet crowned her “Barbecue Becky.” Oakland residents decided to hold a huge BBQ in protest, possibly the biggest “take that” moment since a toddler said “no” to bedtime.
4. “SoHo Karen” – Miya Ponsetto (2020)
Miya Ponsetto is the gift that keeps on giving, if your idea of a gift is unhinged accusations and bizarre interviews. She attacked a 14-year-old Black teen, insisting he stole her phone. Spoiler alert: her phone was in an Uber. She then appeared in an interview where she wore a hat that said “Daddy,” dismissed accusations of racism, and basically did everything in her power to keep the internet’s rage pointed her way. She ended up with charges, including a hate crime, which is what usually happens when you physically attack someone over your own cluelessness.
5. “Trader Joe’s Karen” – The Unnamed Mask Avenger (2020)
At the height of COVID-19, some folks discovered new hobbies like baking. One woman in Los Angeles found her passion in screaming about her “freedom” after being asked to wear a mask inside Trader Joe’s. She accused everyone of harassing her, because apparently wearing a mask to protect others is the biggest injustice in the history of forever. This earned her internet fame as she ranted and raved through the aisles. Hope it was worth it, because the rest of us have to keep explaining to aliens (if they exist) that not all humans behave like this.
6. “San Francisco Karen” – Lisa Alexander (2020)
Lisa Alexander took it upon herself to confront James Juanillo, a Filipino man, for writing “Black Lives Matter” in chalk outside his own home. She claimed she knew the property owner, which was a brilliant idea except for the minor detail that she actually had no clue. The internet smacked her down promptly, leading her to issue a public apology. Meanwhile, her skincare company took a massive hit. Maybe she can invent a cream to get rid of bad PR.
7. “Victoria’s Secret Karen” – Abigail Elphick (2021)
Abigail Elphick tried to hit a Black shopper, got filmed, then collapsed into a puddle of sobs on the store floor. She acted as if she were the real victim—an interesting method if your goal is to appear on every cringe compilation known to humanity. The contrast between her initial aggression and her dramatic meltdown landed her an infamous place in internet history, and left everyone else rolling their eyes at yet another “Karen” convinced she’s being persecuted by a smartphone camera.
8. “California Karen” – Lena Hernandez (2020)
Lena Hernandez was filmed more than once spewing racist comments in Torrance, California, telling Asian bystanders to “go back to their country.” It’s as if she set out to audition for the role of World’s Biggest Jerk. Eventually, she got arrested and charged with assault, which feels like a predictable ending for someone whose only skill seems to be yelling offensive remarks at strangers.
9. “Dog Park Karen” – Emma Sarley (2021)
When you tell a Black dog owner to “stay in your hood,” you can’t act shocked when the internet calls you a Karen. Emma Sarley learned that the hard way. She lost her job at a tech firm after her words were caught on camera. Pro tip: maybe don’t say racist stuff in public if you plan on making it to your next paycheck.
Conclusion
These episodes capture a broad range of over-the-top entitlement, from calling the cops on little kids selling water to grilling at a park to screaming about masks during a pandemic. While the “Karen” meme can sometimes be overused, these examples are a reminder that some people really do believe they’re above everyone else. And they often pay the price, with careers and reputations tossed aside like an expired coupon at the customer service desk.