Three women called Karen complain about 'racist' use of their name

Three women named Karen took to This Morning to call for an end of people making negative associations with their name.

The name Karen has become associated with a middle-class white woman stereotype whose behaviour is a result of privilege.

According to the women who appeared on the show, some people use the name to refer to people who are racist or refuse to wear a mask during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Karen Masters, who was on Monday's show, has now set up a Change.org petition to combat prejudice experienced by women named "Karen".

She told hosts Ruth Langford and Eamonn Holmes that the way her name is being used "started off funny", but took a turn during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Masters added that things took "a life of their own" when her name become synonymous with racism and refusing to wear masks.

"When the Black Lives Matter protests started and there was a lot of media putting Karen as racist it sort of took a life of its own," she said.

“And I feel that we can’t, as Karens, now talk about how this is affecting us because we are told we are entitled if we do this. I set up a Change.org to show this is not fair for us to put up with this.

“We’re labelled as racist, entitled, anti-maskers and we’re just not that sort of person.

“It’s just totally unfair and we want the media and the tabloids and papers to stop using our name to describe racist people. I think we should describe racist people as racist and stop using our name.”

Another Karen, Karen Trigg, said she has even considered changing her name.

"I can take a joke but it's now linked with so much bad stuff; it's spiralling into my everyday life.

"At work, I even try to hide my name badge behind my hair and when people ask my name I say 'unfortunately...it's Karen.'

"I've got many insecurities, but I didn't think my name would end up being one of them."