The Karen action figure wants to talk to the manager

By Dean Murray via SWNS

Karens of the world have been immortalized with a cantankerous-looking action figure.

The name has become a meme to reflect those who use their privilege to demand their own way.

Depictions include demanding to "speak to the manager," being racist, and wearing a particular bob hairstyle.

Pennsylvania toy company Namespace are hoping to produce the tongue-in-cheek action figures of not only the stereotype but also an overworked 'Joe the Manager' figure for the character to harass.

"We're looking for fun even in uncertain times like these," said Matt Jacquot, Namespace Sales Manager. "And with these two characters, we want to encourage positive change and even foster a little more tolerance."

With founding members from the US, UK, China, France, Spain and India, the team chose freelance Ukrainian designer and illustrator Denys Samboval to work on the project and help bring Karen and Joe to life.

"I take inspiration from the every day," Denys said, "and we've all seen Karens or Joes in the news or in our daily lives, so this project was easy to relate to."

A Kickstarter funding campaign is hoping to secure the funding for production of the $18 figures.

Despite the humorous element, the term has been accused of being ageist, sexist, racist, classist, misogynistic and seeking to control women's behavior.

Namespace add: "Ultimately, for us these two figures embody qualities we can all be guilty of, and so they can help us keep our inner Karens and Joes in check.

"We’re all equal, and rather than shout about how the rules don’t apply to us, or sigh as people treat us like doormats, we could all have some fun while being more patient, accepting, and tolerant of each other."

« ‹ of 4 › »

Karen is often a pejorative term for a white woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is normal.

As of 2020, the term increasingly appeared in media and social media as a general criticism of middle-class white women, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests.

A notable example occurred in May 2020, when Christian Cooper described a Central Park birdwatching incident in which a white lady's "inner Karen fully emerged and took a dark turn."

When he started recording the encounter, the lady called the police and told them an "African-American man" was threatening her and her dog.