I am a Proud Coonass

[Bandit]

I had a person apply for a job yesterday with this bumper sticker on his car. I don't know what it means. Is it supposed to be funny? I live a long ways from 'Coons and not familiar with any terminology relating to them.

[DemoTex]

1. I think it means they are Cajun.

From Louisiana.

[GumboYaYa]

2. It means that he is of cajun decent.

Some people think that coonass is a derogatory or racist term, but it is not. Typically, believe it or not, it is a term of endearment to my cajun brethren.

[Fenris]

3. A term of endearment to us Cajuns.

Not racist.

[jdsmith]

4. Yes, it's funny, but do not use the term unless you have permission

It's an example of an marginalized ethnicity claiming, parodying, and defusing the hate term, but not one that you would necessarily think of since the person probably looks un-marginalized (i.e., "white"). Cf. "hillbilly," "cracker."

[drthais]

10. I'm betting

that this is not the opinon of the coonass in queston.
besides, this kind of politispeak
is absolutely rediculous
when applied to this term

ask any coonass

[indigobusiness]

5. Why be offended by something,

when you can celebrate it?

Cajun philosophy is so cool.

[Jacobin]

6. mais oui, cher, il est Acadien!!

But don't call someone that unless you are also from Ville Platte and have known him for a long time!!

[AnnInLa]

7. as a Coonass from Abbeville, Louisiana......

The term used to be considered insulting, but now it is just a slang term meaning Cajun....sure hope you hired the Cajun Brother????

[Jacobin]

8. Bon matin Ann

and welcome to DU from a fellow Louisianaian.

:hi:

[AnnInLa]

15. thanks, Jacobin, but...

I've been around for a little while...where ya at? who's your daddy? can your mama make a roux?

[drthais]

9. Hire this person imediately!

I also am from SOuth Louisiana
anyone who proclaims themselves to be a Proud Coonass
is an excellent candidate

yes, it means a person of acadian-French heritage
these people are (generally speaking)
honest, loyal, funny, and
understand the importance of letting the good times roll

great employee material

[GumboYaYa]

11. Wow, I had no idea we had this many coonasses around here.

It's a pleasure to meet all of you.

Laissez les bon temps roule!!!!

[finecraft]

12. Another out-migrating Cajun.......

I don't get the feeing that you're in Louisiana, so I guess this means another Cajun is leaving the state to look for work. I just got a study that was done on the most valuable things southern states can export. They said Louisiana's strength was in it's music and dancing. All the other southern states had things like aerospace industry, biotechnology, micro-technology....we get music and dancing. How do you build a workforce and structure economic development based on the exportation of music and dancing?

[enki23]

13. you give the singers and dancers jobs in the chemical industry?

not a lotta singing and dancing going on here in baton rouge... but then, i'll be out migrating again soon. hopefully to canada.

[GumboYaYa]

16. The Benjy Davis Project is from BR. Those guys are gonna

be huge soon.

New Orleans has turned the music industry into a major money generator for the city. Acadiana is starting to do the same. Go to Fred's in Mamou on any Saturday and you will find patrons from all over the world spilling coins.

In the past we have watched our local musicians leave the state to make it big. I'm a big supporter of growing the music business at home so we don't just have artists making money, but we also have engineers, sound crews, and the whole other supporting cast being local folks.

[jus_the_facts]

20. NawLenz...the Birthplace o'JAZZ....which is the FATHER o'Rock'n'Roll......

.....all modern music's ROOTS stem from the Louisiana/Mississippi DELTA!! :headbang:

[leftofthedial]

19. don't forget cooking either

that kind of worlforce attrition is a serious problem. It's a shame anyone has to leave home to find work.

But still, don't forget the cooking! Y'all got the food thing going on.

[Geo55]

14. Hmm....innerestin'

The things ya learn on DU.....that's why I love it.

[Cleita]

17. When I see or hear stuff like that, which doesn't seem kosher,

I just very pleasantly ask the person what they mean. Nine times out of ten, it's a misunderstanding on my part, and you do learn something new, like I just did and I have had Cajun acquaintances but never ran across that term either until you posted it.

[Northwind]

18. Proud Coonass here as well

The funny thing is, the term was originally a derogatory one, essentially a slur, used by "pure" whites, because cajuns (ALL of us) have a far amount of african american (read: slave or former slave) blood in us.

That is what the "coon" in coonass refers to. An Uncle on my mothers side (East Texas redneck) always referes to me, my father (my Coonass progenitor) and my two siblings as "those damn coonasses." His name is Chet, which he deserves.