White women, like all women, have been marginalized, discounted and mistreated throughout history.
So it should not be particularly surprising that older white women today are a special target of derision in the on-going race war.
Most recently, Spence School, a posh Manhattan private school, was in the news because it showed graduating 8th graders a video that ridiculed and humiliated white women, who were portrayed as being “tarred and feathered.”
The incident came to light after Gabriela Baron, a Hispanic female executive, pulled her daughter out of the $57,000 a year school in protest. “Racism is racism,” said Baron.
The video footage came from a Showtime offering, a show of “fearless satire” hosted by African American comedian Ziwerekoru “Ziwe” Fumudoh, 29, a graduate of the posh private school, Phillips Academy in Andover, MA .
The head of the Spence School last week apologized for showing the students the video but Showtime apparently is entirely without remorse. Variety reported Tuesday that Showtime has renewed Ziwi’s show for another season. Variety’s article did not even mention the Spence School incident.
“Karens” Convention
So viewers can look forward to more episodes like Fumudoh’s convention for “Karens,” which is a derogatory term for entitled middle-aged white women. That episode featured five white middle-aged women who are actually named Karen. Several of the Karens acknowledge behaving like the negative stereotype because they say things like “call the manager.”
One Karen said that being negatively stereotyped is hurtful but this “is a small sacrifice to make for racial justice.”
So apparently it is culturally appropriate to slap a pejorative label on all middle aged white women who speak up when they are the victim of poor service or an act of rudeness. It helps racial justice.
Like ‘Feminist’
“Karen” has become like the term “feminist” in the 1970s. It apparently refers to any white woman who is not a doormat.
“People call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute.”
British author Rebecca West (1892=1983).
It telling that there is no white male equivalent of a “Karen.” Men apparently can still speak up when their partner finds a dead fly in the soup, though women are encouraged to remain silent.
Spence Apologizes, but not Showtime
Bodie Brizendine, head of Spence School, sent an apologetic e-mail to school parents stating: “It is never acceptable to ridicule anyone at any time… Our teacher and the School acknowledge that sharing a satirical video that made fun of white women was a significant mistake.’’
But Showtime has ignored the incident and Ziwi is thrilled. Variety quoted her as stating: “This show has exceeded my wildest imagination thanks to my brilliant cast, crew and iconic guests. I am famously delighted to continue my collaboration with Showtime and A24.”
A couple of decades ago, feminists would have objected to the irrational and harmful stereotyping of women. But not today, unless the women who are negatively stereotyped are women of color, lesbian or transgender. White women apparently are fair game.