I like that you question the use of "Karen" as slur to describe what Cooper did. I've never liked the term, and I've never used it, because I too think it's dismissive and reduces the person to a stereotype, which ironically is very thing that Black people are rightfully objecting to being reduced to. For what it's worth, the other Cooper, the guy she wronged, said at the time that he didn't need to see her get fired. I agreed with that sentiment, and even after her self-pitying essay I still agree with it. What she did was bad, but on the scale of badness it's way, way down there. I don't think that she still should be getting penalized for it after over 3 years. But I think that you're probably on to something questioning if it's really as oppressive for her as she claims. I can believe that in her profession that it could still be impacting her, but it's really, really hard to believe that she actually lives in fear of being attacked. I believe that most people wouldn't know her if they saw her, and can't even remember her name by now. I think this part of her narrative is in her mind. But the on the professional side, she just should change careers, go to another industry where her name isn't poison. Career changes aren't easy, I know, because I did one 8 years ago to get into teaching. But she should do it, if she actually wants to move past this and let go of the comfort of victimization.
People make stupid mistakes; it's part of being human. Another part of being human is having the grace to forgive and provide a person with a second chance. There's no doubt Ms. Cooper fucked up and that she's paid for it. The sad thing is that she's seemed to have learned nothing from it. If she had admitted her mistake, apologized accordingly, and done her penance, this could've been done and dusted long ago. It's her immaturity that's dragged it out. I feel sorry for her...but she's NOT a victim.
I like that you question the use of "Karen" as slur to describe what Cooper did. I've never liked the term, and I've never used it, because I too think it's dismissive and reduces the person to a stereotype, which ironically is very thing that Black people are rightfully objecting to being reduced to. For what it's worth, the other Cooper, the guy she wronged, said at the time that he didn't need to see her get fired. I agreed with that sentiment, and even after her self-pitying essay I still agree with it. What she did was bad, but on the scale of badness it's way, way down there. I don't think that she still should be getting penalized for it after over 3 years. But I think that you're probably on to something questioning if it's really as oppressive for her as she claims. I can believe that in her profession that it could still be impacting her, but it's really, really hard to believe that she actually lives in fear of being attacked. I believe that most people wouldn't know her if they saw her, and can't even remember her name by now. I think this part of her narrative is in her mind. But the on the professional side, she just should change careers, go to another industry where her name isn't poison. Career changes aren't easy, I know, because I did one 8 years ago to get into teaching. But she should do it, if she actually wants to move past this and let go of the comfort of victimization.
People make stupid mistakes; it's part of being human. Another part of being human is having the grace to forgive and provide a person with a second chance. There's no doubt Ms. Cooper fucked up and that she's paid for it. The sad thing is that she's seemed to have learned nothing from it. If she had admitted her mistake, apologized accordingly, and done her penance, this could've been done and dusted long ago. It's her immaturity that's dragged it out. I feel sorry for her...but she's NOT a victim.