Is cajun an ethnicity?

Question

I am proud to say that I am of Cajun ancestry. My father's family comes from a small area in southeast Louisiana that was founded by a small group of people with their own language, customs, etc. Unfortunately when he grew up (he is in his 60s) cajuns were discriminated against so he was not taught to speak cajun nor could he say he was cajun. I am always seeing on applications a section for race and/or ethnicity. Well, I have learned cajun. I was taught by my grandfather as a child and am proud of the culture. I therefore claim cajun to be my ethnicity in the same way someone would say they are hispanic. As far as race, I am caucasian. I am bringing this up because I was corrected today on an application by another race. For my race I put caucasian but for ethnicity, cajun. I was rudely told that I cannot put cajun I would have to put caucasian for both. Why? As far as I understand the definition, I should be able to claim cajun as my ethnicity.

To honey, cajun is a style of food derived from the cajun people's lifestyle. Cajun people do have there own language, cajun. the cajun language is based off of french but is entirely different in pronunciation as well as some vocabulary differences. Most French people cannot understand Cajuns. Also, cajun and creole is totally different. I am cajun not creole.

Answer 1

Cajun is most certainly an ethnic group. I found this in Wikipedia:
"...Ethnic group of national origin....
The Cajuns retain a unique dialect of the French language and numerous other cultural traits that distinguish them as an ETHNIC group. Cajuns were officially recognized by the U.S. government as a national ethnic group in 1980 per a discrimination lawsuit filed in federal district court. Presided over by Judge Edwin Hunter, the case, known as Roach v. Dresser Industries Valve and Instrument Division (494 F.Supp. 215, D.C. La., 1980), hinged on the issue of the Cajuns' ethnicity. Significantly, Judge Hunter held in his ruling that:

"We conclude that plaintiff is protected by Title VII's ban on national origin discrimination. The Louisiana Acadian (Cajun) is alive and well. He is “up front” and “main stream.” He is not asking for any special treatment. By affording coverage under the “national origin” clause of Title VII he is afforded no special privilege. He is given only the same protection as those with English, Spanish, French, Iranian, Portuguese, Mexican, Italian, Irish, et al., ancestors." ...."

Answer 2

Cajun Origin

Answer 3

Cajun Ancestry

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is cajun an ethnicity?
I am proud to say that I am of Cajun ancestry. My father's family comes from a small area in southeast Louisiana that was founded by a small group of people with their own language, customs, etc. Unfortunately when he grew up (he is in his 60s) cajuns were discriminated against so he was not...

Answer 5

Ethnicity by definition is :
eth·nic·i·ty
NOUN:

1. Ethnic character, background, or affiliation.
2. An ethnic group.

So the answer is yes. As Wikipedia describes it :

Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles and peoples of other ethnicities with whom the Acadians eventually intermarried on the semitropical frontier. Today, the Cajuns make up a significant portion of south Louisiana's population, and have exerted an enormous impact on the state's culture.

Answer 6

Cajun can't be an ethnicity, since there are Cajun shrimp which are white, and Cajun catfish which are black. Cajun is just how something is spiced.

Answer 7

I totally agree with you. You should be able to use Cajun. Unfortunately I think when people hear cajun they think of spicy food and pay no mind the the culture behind it. Trust me, anyone who spends any time with a real cajun would see that they are a truly unique group of people. I am proud to say that my grandparents were cajun too. I think maybe I will start using cajun too.

Answer 8

yes, Cajun is an ethnic group. Just as Creole is an ethnic group.

ethnic group or ethnicity defined: a population group whose members identify with one another on the basis of a common genealogy or ancestry OR a common cultural, linguistic, religious, behavioral or biological traits.

edit: julie b, being of Italian extraction is an ethnic background/heritage, but being from Chicago or New Jersery is not.

Answer 9

yea it should be .. I mean ther is Cajun food like there is Mexan food.. Mexican food comes from Mexican ppl from a Mexican desnt.. Cajun Food would Come from Cajun ppl From a Cajun Dsent ... Rite ? SO i think that Cajun is a race ...

Answer 10

why? because they are ignorant. they have probably been through orientation and that scenario was not brought up, so according to the "rules"...it's not an allowed response. just try to remember to write down Caucasian/Cajun. they should be happy and you get your point across. good luck to you.