Definition of Creole:

A Letter To the Editor From Warren Perrin

Public Forum

The Advertiser

 

Walter S. McCready's letter which " takes issue" with Herbert Wiltz's definition of Creole, merits a scrutinizing response:

Why, W. McCready, do you take issue" with Herbert Wiltz's definition of Creole?

Mr. Wiltz correctly stated that the definition is "hard to pin down."   He is correct that the word is commonly used today to refer to "Louisiana people of African descent," these people being Louisianians of both European and African descent who share a French-speaking background.  The definitions which Mr. McCready cited may be accurate in a narrow historical sense (sources: 1751, 1851); however, they do not reflect the way in which the term Creole is used today.

I suggest that Mr. McCready read Creoles of Color in the Bayou Country, by Dr. Claude Oubre of LSUE and Dr. Carl Brasseaux of USL, which discusses the complexity of the term Creole, and opens with an explanation of the many uses of the term Creole which, among its varied meanings, is based upon historical tends.  Additional references are: Acadian to Cajun: Transformation of People 1803-1877, by Dr. Carl A. Brasseaux (University Press of Mississippi, 1992), Creoles and Americans, by Joseph G. Tregle Jr. (Baton Rouge LSU Press, 1992) , Cajun and Creole Folktales, by Dr. Barry Jean Ancelet (Garland Publishing, 1994), Creole New Orleans, by Gwendolyn Midlo Hall ,and Hé, La-Bas, by Reida Fuselier and Jolene Adam (1994).

In her book, Ms. Adam states that the term Creole is used by French Louisianians who claim African or Caribbean origin in addition to their French or Spanish origin, as well as by Louisianians who claim a European origin only.

Mr. Wiltz is one of the founders of C.R.E.O.L.E. Inc., a private nonprofit corporation, which has adopted the following definition of Creole: "Individuals of African descent whose cultural roots have been influenced by other cultures such as French, Spanish and/or Indian."

I suggest that if Mr. McCready wrote his letter to imply that an Afro-American cannot fit the historically restrictive definition of his letter is misleading and divisive. However, if he wrote his letter to explain the complexity of the term Creole in its relation to our multi-cultural society, then, I believe it is too limited in its approach and needs further clarification.

We applaud C.R.E.O.L.E. Inc. and the adoption of its new flag which symbolizes the pride of Louisiana's Creoles who are such an important part of our multi-cultural society. We share the pride of the Creoles of Louisiana in their many accomplishments and are assisting them in the promotion of their proud heritage.

Signed - Warren A. Perrin, President of CODOFIL

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