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Many have labeled Amy Cooper her a “Karen.” For those who may not be privy, Karen is a term described by Dictionary.com’s Slang Dictionary as a “a mocking slang term for an entitled, obnoxious, middle-aged white woman.”

Whether it be via social media or news reports, word spread quickly about Amy Cooper – the Caucasian woman who called to report Christian Cooper (no relation), an African American man after he asked her to put her dog on a leash in Central Park. While signs around the park clearly stated all dogs must be on a leash, Amy knowingly broke the rules and became hysterical when Christian offered her dog a treat then asked her to please put her dog on a leash. In the video, Amy claims Christian is “threating her life” and she urges the police to hurry. Christian was able to record the entire encounter and even asks Amy to back away right before she makes the call.

Since this occurrence, Amy Cooper has lost her job at Franklin Templeton and surrendered her dog to the Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue Inc. In a statement to CNN, Amy said, “[My] entire life is being destroyed right now. I think I was just scared. When you’re alone in the Ramble, you don’t know what’s happening. It’s not excusable, it’s not defensible.”

Of course, relief was been felt over this situation as it could have escalated to a far more violent or unjust situation – there was no arrest made and the Harvard graduate, Christian Cooper was able to safely return home that night. Unfortunately, there are so many occasions where people of color, specifically Black men and women are not afforded the same opportunities and lose their lives in result. Just recently in the media, we’ve heard the horrific stories of George Floyd – a African American being arrested who later died because the officer in Minneapolis cop had a knee on his neck. Or Ahmaud Arbery who was gunned down after viewing a house under construction then returning to his jog.

What about Breonna Taylor? The 26-year-old woman who was killed during an unprompted and unannounced police raid ultimately being shot eight times. The police claimed to be serving a search warrant for a narcotics investigation. To make matters worse, her mourning boyfriend was arrested for attempted murder of a police officer because he returned fire during the raid and struck a police officer in the leg.

All because they were living while being BLACK.

Amy Cooper took action into her own hands as a Caucasian woman under the assumption that she could use her privilege to put someone else in danger. She also assumed that because of the color of each of their skin that she would be privileged enough to get away with her actions and Christian would be harmed.

However, she was seen on camera harming her precious pup by dragging him along while she took these steps to report Christian and now, she claims her “life is destroyed.”

The weight of her actions has been shown all over the internet and much like many others, she shares that she is very much so abreast to the issues of racism. In her statement featured in a NY Times piece she says, “I am well aware of the pain that misassumptions and insensitive statements about race cause and would never have imagined that I would be involved in the type of incident that occurred.”

But now that many are shedding light on the entitlement in what it seems most Caucasian women receive. I venture to wonder what it must be like. As what some would say the most privileged group in society, now has a derogatory phrase placed on them when their actions are seen as “holier than thou.” Now with these behaviors being closely monitored by others as well. Is this a negative approach due to years of unjust actions taken publicly against people of color?

According to Candace Owens, political activist and commentator, everything doesn’t have to be about race. She expressed this in a recent tweet:

So, my question to you today is simple – is it okay to call Amy Cooper, “Karen”?

 

Featured image courtesy of Twitter