Can Cajuns have Mexican roots?

Dear Editor,

Over the years it has become somewhat entertaining to watch some of my close friends stutter and squirm as they try to explain their Cajun heritage.

You will possibly hear, and we all have, “I am Cajun. My name is O’Grady but my mama was a (insert proper Cajun, French, Irish or German name). So I was Cajun on my Mama’s side!”

I would like to say to them, take a deep breath and relax. It’s O.K. You do not have to explain your heritage; it is not that important.

If you are a kind and considerate human being that wishes no harm to others and work hard to achieve your goals, that is good enough.

I can say that I lived through the entire era of transition from Cajun, to Redneck, and back to Cajun again. You see we tried hard when we were young to not give the “down the Bayou” impression to whomever we would meet.

So now when I am speaking to non-Cajuns, they cannot detect an accent. However, when a person that is not of Cajun descent tries to convince a Cajun of his ancestry, the Cajun knew as soon as you opened your mouth. But it makes no difference to the Cajun; he probably loves you anyway.

My imitations of Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, and other country greats helped considerably with my non-accent.

When I was very young I made a remark about one of my cousins that spoke with a very heavy accent. I said, “Mama she talk like dat.”

The child was proficient in French and her mother quickly replied, “How many languages do you speak?” At that time I was not as proficient in French as I am now.

So, yes, my friends, the Mexicans are coming just as the Cajuns did long ago.

Many of them don’t have automobiles and I see them walking to the store and to work. I also see them working in the construction industry, gardening and whatever else they can find to do to make a living.

I would like to speak with them a little, but I am afraid to give them the wrong impression.

Now that I am computer savvy perhaps a Spanish course online would be in order.

Do you think it might be possible for some of us to say some day, “My name is Boudreaux and I am Mexican, but my Mama was a Santiago. So I am Mexican on my mama’s side”?

May God bless this great country of ours.

R.J. Guidry

Houma