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Although currently used as a racial slur, it was originally a shortened form of "Barracoon," a word first used in the 1800's mostly in the Louisiana Territory and French colonial Africa for a place where slaves, indentured servants, and convicts were kept, usually for temporary purposes such as while being transported. It comes from the Spanish word barracón, (or barracara, the word for hut in Catalan). People took off the "barra" and the "coon" slur was born.

The word barracoon may have been first used formally in a legal case by John Quincy Adams in the case before the Supreme Court known as "The United States vs The Amistad" (like in the movie), which was argued in February and March of 1841.

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12y ago
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10y ago

Although currently used as a racial slur, it was originally a shortened form of "Barracoon," a word first used in the 1800's mostly in the Louisiana Territory and French colonial Africa for a place where slaves, indentured servants, and convicts were kept, usually for temporary purposes such as while being transported. It comes from the Spanish word barracón, (or barracara, the word for hut in Catalan). People took off the "barra" and the "coon" slur was born.

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7y ago

Throughout history, the people in the majority have often tried to demonize and stereotype minorities, whether religious minorities (such as Jews) or racial minorities (such as black people). When white people said that black people were "ignorant" or "stupid" or "inferior," this labeling gave those in power a good excuse to enact laws that discriminated against those who were lower in status-- after all, if a group is not very smart, then it's okay to control them, allegedly for their own good. Of course, this is nonsense-- there is no credible evidence that black people as a race are inherently ignorant. But it was necessary for those in power to believe and promote this notion, because it kept racial minorities "in their place": poor education and poor opportunities contributed to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where most people who succeeded were white, and black people (who were denied equal opportunities to advance), were unable to achieve.

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Dyanna Harrington

Lvl 2
2y ago

Because they are ignorant still?

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Q: Why do people call black people coons?
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