In Praise of Karens

Were it not for Karens (i.e. "women of European ancestry who don't put up with bullshit in their homes or neighborhoods"), the world would be in chaos. (Sorry, black women, but...look at your men. Y'all don't have such a great record when it comes to keeping their chaotic behavior in check.)

Back in the '80s, there was a "Broken Window Theory" proposed by social scientists:

First introduced in 1982 by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling, the broken window theory posits that small criminal acts within a community — graffiti being a prime example — creates an environment that breeds more (and more serious) crime. The idea is that an offender may feel more inclined or justified to commit further antisocial crimes in an area where antisocial crime has not been confronted. 

Exactly. Today, such dampers on assholes don't seem to be popular. In fact, we "Karens" are mocked. But we actually play an important role in the ongoing attempt to maintain a pleasant environment. 

My own Karen-ness in the past 4 years at my apartment complex:

2017: When I first moved in, a group of low-lifes lived in an apartment above me. Constantly partying, constantly playing loud music, and setting off fireworks within the complex. Went out to ask them to shut up multiple times. When that didn't work, reported them multiple times to apartment management until they finally moved out.

2018-2019: A different set of guys who also set off fireworks within the complex and also liked to sit in their truck in the parking lot and blare their music. Went out to ask them to shut up multiple times and also reported them multiple times to management until they finally moved out.

Past couple of days: Tree-trimmers for the apartment blaring their music. Didn't say anything Saturday. DID say something today---twice. Went out and nicely asked them to turn down their music. They stopped for about an hour, then jacked it up again. I then went and reported them to apartment management, who called their boss.

You're welcome, neighbors. (And don't tell me you weren't irritated by that shit but were just too cowardly to say anything yourselves. It takes a Karen.)