THE “KAREN” IN ALL OF US
In a particular episode of popular Nigerian comic animation that was the toast of many some years ago named “Our Own Area” (popularly called Area!), a young man was accosted by police officers on the road while driving and a conversation ensued:
Police: Young man, may we know you?
Driver: What?! (comes down from his car) Don’t you know who I be?!
Police: Errrrmmmm… no!
Driver: Are you shitting me?!
Police: Young man, calm down.
Driver: This right here, is messed up. Nigga, you better ask about me.
Police: We only wanted to know where you’re fr…
Driver: (Cuts in) I’m from the States man! And this right here, is police harassment. Back in the States, we don’t take shit from nobody! Got that?! Niggas you better ask about it right here, cos it’s about to go down….
And the conversation progresses, with more drama from both sides.
While this is obviously made up, something stands out — the braggadocios conduct of the young man while trying to affirm his rights, in the face of what he called “police harassment” and we all have that moment — The moment of self-conceited importance that inflates our previously bloated ego a couple of inches more, becoming over bloated and engaging in a free-for-all with reason. Reason is quickly subdued and we blindly (without the loss of eyesight) overstep the boundaries our rights accord us.
“Karen” is a slang describing a middle-aged white woman with an asymmetrical bob cut hairstyle dubbed “speak to the manager” who happens to be as entitled as she is ignorant, and displays an aggressive behaviour when prevented from having her way. There are varying opinions as to its origin, but it gained prominence when a Reddit user, sometime in 2017 engaged the social media platform to pour invectives on his estranged wife named Karen. The term has gained new heights recently, due to issues around racism in the western world but the import is relevant in our society where there is obviously no white woman to earn the title.
“Karen” reincarnates in our day-to-day life after a tortuous journey from the “white man’s land” with an introductory comment — “Do you know who I am?”. “Karen” could be clothed in an agbada, a fitted suit, a police uniform. “Karen” is in the banking hall, motor park, shopping mall, University campus and every other place you can think of. The introductory comment — “do you know who I am?” is usually said to validate an opinion or intimidate a dissenter to submit to an opinion. A common factor in many of such scenarios is, the stances or opinions that require quipping “do you know who I am?” to survive are fundamentally weak or outrightly wrong.
A simple (and rightful) request to law enforcement officers to pay transport fare is replied with (appalling) gestures such as showing the ID card, gesturing to the badge with spouted lips (you blind ni?!) — “do you know who I am”; Our “learned colleagues” don’t shy away from quipping same and they graciously add an extra — “I am a certified barrister of law with x years experience at the bar!”. A Nigerian (former) “big man” is slighted by the legitimate refusal of people disavowing his illegal refusal not to join a queue but make his way ahead of others — “do you know who I am?”. Transactions in government establishments avails one the encounter to meet at least, one Karen. A woman in a government office once questioned our presence in her office to get a document signed. “How am I expected to work when I haven’t eaten” she asked. It was some minutes to ten in the morning and she was devouring a bowl of rice!
Nowadays, when a “Karen” tries to enforce a stance with the claim “do you know who I am?”, the opposing side quickly retorts: do you also know who I am? At this juncture, reason is either allowed to prevail and the right thing is done or both parties inevitably unveil the identity hitherto not apparent to the other party. May the “best” (wo)man win! The comic animation earlier mentioned provides an example - have a look.
PS; Harassment and brutality by law enforcement officials is real and condemnable. The intention behind this article is not to (and does not) disclaim the existence nor downplay the damage inflicted on victims. It is hoped that the deteriorating civil relationship between law enforcement officials and the citizenry improves tremendously.
