findknox.com.au
AUGUST 2020 | FIND KNOX
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DON’T BE THAT “KAREN” By Warren Strybosch
I feel sorry for anyone named as the name has become synonymous with anyone who is entitled, selfish and likes to complain. ‘Karen’ been getting some pretty bad press of late especially when a woman last month threatened to sue Bunnings when staff insisted that she wear her mask. She is now dubbed the “Bunnings Karen”. We also have the “Brighton Karen” who decided that it was acceptable to breach lockdown regulations and go for a walk. Apparently, she is upset that her 5km radius includes nearly 50 she lives so close to the beach. Even when someone tried to help a ‘Karen’ they get backlash for doing so. Like Domino’s when they offered free pizza to up to 100 Karen’s who are doing the right thing. Both Domino’s Australia and Domino’s New Zealand ran the campaign. Unfortunately, Domino’s in New Zealand got such a backlash from those playing the race card, they had to withdraw the competition. The offer was criticised because many people argued that “Karen negativity” was an issue that affected mostly “privileged white women”. “Most of the time ‘Karens’ are entitled privileged white women. If a few people actually called Karen can’t handle the meme they should try handling 400 years of oppression,” said one user on Twitter. “When you wanna reward more privilege to the most privileged in our society,” another said. Then you have the Karen’s and others who believe the term “Karen” has proved controversial online. Many arguing the term is an insult in itself, racist and misogynistic. Domino’s said that people interpreted their campaign “in a different way than we intended”. “Our intention was one of inclusivity only. We want you to know that we are always listening and learning and when we get it wrong, we fix it. We are sorry.”
which it was intended and had some fun tagging their friends and family named Karen. “Unfortunately, due to lacking important context in New Zealand, it was not received in the same way. “Our intention was one of inclusivity only, which is why we removed the post in New Zealand and issued an apology.” At the Find Maroondah, we just want to encourage everyone to do the right thing, wear your masks, and be kind and considerate to those around you.
Domino’s Australia, which ran the same campaign, did not withdraw the offer but allowed it to run until the competition ended.
Also, before you attack someone who might not be wearing a mask, take the time to find out why. Not everyone is required to wear a mask and there are circumstances where it might not be practical to do so at a given point in time.
The company said: “Thankfully, the majority of Australians interpreted the giveaway in the light-hearted way in
For instance, a man and his daughter were yelled at when they were out walking because the daughter had her
mask down whilst talking to her father. What those who did the abusing did not know was that the father was deaf and had to lip read his daughter to understand her. This is just one example of where we need to be mindful of others during this difficult time. Again, we encourage everyone in Maroondah and throughout Victoria to wear your masks but also be kind to others if they are not…just remind them of their masks or take the time to enquire as to why they may not be wearing one. Alternatively, just keep well away from them so you reduce the risk of infection. Don’t be a “Karen”, or a COVID IDIOT (more on that in next month’s issue). Be kind, compassionate and do the right things by others.
AUGUST 2020 | FIND KNOX
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