Coon Phrase

[Shalom2U]

Shalom Everybody-

Today, I was sitting in church and like Elite Ivy, thinking about the things posted on the board entitled YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN A BLACK CHURCH, when all of a sudden I hear the speaking Pastor of the day say "I'm as happy as a coon eating grapes".

Now mind you I currently attend an Assemblies Of God / AOG Church (Caucasian Pentacostal if you will), so I was like, "Whoa, what did he just say?".

The congregation laughed when he said this...even the African-Americans were smiling and nodding their heads.

As for me, I sat in shock! I have understood the term "coon" to be defined as a short form of the word racoon....but I also lived in the Midwest where it was used as reference to "colored" folks.

After looking it up in the Webster Unabridged Dictionary this evening, I found it to be defined as l. racoon [Collog.] 2. A Negro; vulgar term of prejudice and contempt. [Slang]

What I'm having a problem with is not the word "coon" but the meaning of the phrase:
I'm as happy as a coon eating grapes

It's unclear to me why when greeted with, "Hi, how are you doing"? One would respond back with, "I'm as happy as a coon eating grapes".

I posted this long message to ask if any one has heard of this phrase and if you have, what does it mean?

Please enlighten me---I know I had a time with Hebrew and the STRONG'S Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible for a class I took ...but this has taken me to another level of word/phrase usage!

Shalom throughout your week!

[HER_STORY]

i am quite sure that he did not mean racoon!

in your post you said that the other black people laughed also? nobody had a problem with his the use of his words?
whenever i think of that word coon it's right up there with the n word.

[darling1]

Shalom,

I am curious, did you ask what he meant by that statement since it left a sore spot with you??? If not I suggest that you do so.

[Resplendent_Maria]

Shalom,
What state do you live/attend church in?
It is very unfortunate that people still think these words and phrases are acceptable.

I believe that if you were upset, you should let the pastor know that he offended you. Unfortunately, some people who use these words usually grew up around racism and negativity and SOMETIMES don't realize that it is offensive.

Now, if your pastor thinks nothing of this, then there is something seriously wrong with him.

[Shalom2U]

Shalom Everyone-

-Lady Aka, you not only voiced my exact thoughts and feelings, you turned my anger into laughter...for that I send you a big Todah rabah (thankyou) with a hug attached!

-HER_STORY, Yes, the other African Americans giggled and laughed--I looked around to make sure I had heard what I heard (I do admit, I did have my mind on 1NAMillion's topic); however, the Pastor repeated it again and yes, they did giggle. It made me feel like I was just trippin' since they were laughing and It appeared that I was the only one over 17 not laughing and many of the African Americans are well over their 50's so I'm thinking surely they know what a "coon" is.
Maybe the phrase meant raccoon.

I called the Senior-Elder member in my family and he confirmed just as you stated, the word is in the same boat as the n-word.
With that said, I asked him why would a coon, whether is be a raccoon or a "negro" be happy about eating grapes? And why would it be the correct response to, "Hi, how are you"? His reply was GO FIGURE---IGNORANCE + NO ONE TAKING A STANCE= CONTINUANCE OF S---!

-darling 1, Rather then allow this to fester in my spirit, I contacted the church this
afternoon and made an appointment to meet with the Pastor (it's on tape so we can review it via audio or video).

I will post the outcome of our meeting---I'm hoping to resolve it by tomorrow---but I'm taking the advice of LadyAKA, and I'm moving on---gotta find a Black Church...chicken dinners and all---at least it's mine!

Until then, I want to thank you all for your responses and suggestions...and the confirmation that I'm not just PMSing!

Much Love in this house!

Shalom

[darling1]

Shalom I am glad you are meeting with the pastor. Please for give me folks but I really thought on the intial reading that the person was referring to a racoon. I guess I was wrong to think that we have progressed . Please be sure to express how you feel without holding back. Sometimes people feel that they can't hold their clergy accountable for their actions or question them when there seems to be a misunderstanding of sorts.

I am sorry that you had to experience this but take it as a wake up call that we as a people still have a long way to go :-(. Much love.

[LadyAKA]

I have never heard the word used in those terms, I do, however, think it is very derogatory .... I, myself would go and speak to the pastor, for if I had to sit through too many Sundays like that I fear I might get some type of other HOLY spirit and whip someone's A$$!!