This meme originates from the 2004 cult classic teen comedy Mean Girls, written by Tina Fey. In the scene, the 'Plastic' Karen Smith asks new student Cady Heron why she is white if she grew up in Africa, prompting Gretchen Wieners to deliver the legendary line: 'Oh my God, Karen, you can't just ask someone why they're white.' Since its release, the quote has become a staple of internet culture, used to highlight intrusive, socially tone-deaf, or unintentionally offensive questions. It is frequently repurposed by swapping out the context of the question to mock weird curiosities or outdated social norms, solidifying its place as one of the most recognizable movie-based reaction memes.