"Coonass" is a local name for a Louisiana "Cajun"(a descendant of the French
settlers of south Louisiana).

Entirely correct.

In these PC days it has become somewhat ill-mannered for a non-Cajun to use
the term as it is viewed to be somewhat derogatory. I don't know the origin of
the term.

Again, unfortunately, correct. I don't know how the term come to be veiwed as
derogatory, since a drive through southern Louisiana will turn up many "Proud
Coon-Ass" bumper stickers. My Cajun heritage comes from a grandmother named
Brouillette (non-English speaking in fact), and I have always considered myself
part Cajun or coon-ass. Too bad that people living in other parts of this
country can find the time to be offended by the use of this term.
Gary Brady
Austin, TX