Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
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In reply to:
Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
bambi 12/01/02
The responses to this one should be interesting - Let me try and see if what I think I know based upon history, folklore and word of mouth stories.If I am wrong please feel free to point out the error of my thoughts.
Melungeon I leave to others to define.
Acadian refers to the French people and their descendents that were thrown out of Acadie, Nova Scotia for refusing to sign an oth of allegiance to England.Descendents of these people can be found all along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf Coast.Primarily used to refer to that group that settled in the "prairies" of south central and south Louisiana.Cajun is just a "local" Louisiana cooperation of Acadian - those of us with an outstanding sense of humour also call ourselves CoonAsses.
Most of the other terms are the result of Old South and Island Plantation Life. The Plantation system - in my opinion - is based upon the English Manorial system andneeded a serf class of workers.The slaves were used as replacements for the English serf on the Plantation.After all Masser didn't pick his own cotton even back in the Old Country.Masser had to coin terms to ethnically identify his chattel.
Redbone - a deragotory term coined in the Old South to describe an ethnical mixture of American Indian or Mexican and Black.Typically found on the western side of Louisiana.Folklore has them as excellent knife fighters.
Blue Gum - a deragotory term coined in the Old South to identify a "racially pure Black."If the individuals gums(as in the mouth) were/are dark blue the persons racial heritage was/is pure. Nowdays we hear of a Light Skinned Black (not to be confused with mulato).This indicates the person is not of pure ethnic stock.
Creole An ethnic mixture of Caribean islanders, spanish and black.Most plantation owners had plantations both in the South and in the islands.The slaves that were in the islands intermarried with local people.The real good looking female creoles were brought into New Orleans where they became kept women.
The Black female in the Old South was subject to many uses/abuses.Masser (typically English White Male) had his favorite, the Overseer (typically English White Male)had his favorite.In addition to having his favorite on the Plantation, Masser kept his Creole beauty in New Orleans and about once or twice a year took a steamboat to New Orleans to settle accounts and visit his concubine.His New Orleans based Factor was responsible for insuring his Lady was looked after all year and her monetary needs met.
Though for the most part these terms are abhorent as identifiers of our fellow man today don't lose sight of the fact that during those days Blacks were considered property, not humans.Guess the prevaling attitude was you could call your property what you wanted.
More Replies:
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
bambi 12/02/02
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
RICHARD HEATH 12/01/02
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
bambi 12/02/02
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
Dennis Lee 12/02/02
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
RICHARD HEATH 12/02/02
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
ERNESTINE (SALLIE) MILLER (VIGO) 3/12/03
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
Janet Jeffus 12/14/02
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
bambi 12/02/02
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian
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Re: Definitions: Redbone, Melungeon, Blue Gum, Creole, Cajun, Acadian