History of Louisiana's Cajuns.

The Acadian people, food, music and land is important. We live with this cultural group while enjoying the benefits of their influence on the American way of life. They are special part of our cultural blend. Not just because of culinary influence. Mostly because the stunning historical story of these people teaches the student much about what survival does to a group. Thus, it shows us what survival can do to each individual. As victims of 69 years of attempts of ethnic cleansing and Phobic rejection; The peaceful and loving Acadian people have overcome massive hardships of hate to not only survive but also become a jewel of the eclectic human cultural groups.

They were a peaceful people who simply had enough of the politics. The had found paradise living in what is now considered Nova Scotia. Yet, soon a time of continental power struggle began. They insisted to be a distinct people holding on strongly to a belief that they should be able to retain a peaceful way of life. Simply, they did not want to fight. They wanted to remain a neutral while living in a time of wars. This did not work. The war pulled them in. And about 300 of these peaceful men took arms against the British at Ft. Beausejour. The British then began to cleans their lands of this group. This is a quote from " Amazing Grace" an article written by Andre Pelchat concerning the beginning of ethnic cleansing.

" He then ordered the confiscation of all Acadian property, the destruction of Arcadian homes and boats, and finally, the ruin of crops to starve off all those who could have run away in the woods."

Only a portion of the Acadians had taken arms against the British monarchy. Yet, There was no effort put forth by this monarchy to resolve this conflict. They did not try to understand. No attempt for tolerance was made and a monarchy began to bombard farmers and fishermen with brute force. This is a quote form an article written by James Dormon, "People were herded off to awaiting ships with little or no notice."

We are left now to wonder how hard would it have been to co exist with these "peasant folks". As the student reads from a black and white piece of paper, the history of our Acadians we must question what fictional tale of tragedy can dare to compare itself with this. Writers like Longfellow ( author of Evangaline) who only capture part of the story. How many strong Hearts within the mommas and daddy's must have broken in half to see all that they know stomped.

This distinct cultural group was thinned out. They were spread out from south America and the stretches of the eastern coast of what is now the united states. Some were even sent back to France or England, leaving only to be reunited with their loved ones by the power of prayer.

The British colonies would not tolerate these French people. The Protestants in the colonies would not allow them in because they were catholics. Here is another quote from James Dormon,

"They began arriving in the early stages of a devastating war between england and France, a war fought in part in the wilderness of British colonial America"

With mankind's disability of prejudice haunting them no tolerance was found. No, chance of resettlement was allowed in many of these places. Often being refused employment. While, disease took its toll and many of these weakened people died. They were hated, pushed way and left to die.

In 1765 The Acadians began to arrive near the mouth of the Mississippi river and were welcomed. Soon, they developed distinct methods of farming and fishing in the swamps of Louisiana. Some land grants were given to farming families. In Louisiana they began to flourish again. Many traveled from France and England to join loved ones who had made a life in Louisiana. They traveled from the English colonies of the eastern coast and found a home in the swamps of south Louisiana becoming a primary factor in what makes Louisiana so unmistakable.

Millions are made in the advice industry. Most of us seek guidance during every moment of our lives. We close our eyes while making big decisions asking for divine truth. And often we find it in dusty old history books. Acadians as a whole are beautiful because of one piece of truth. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." This is said to be a quote from the Bible. But, we know this is a collaboration of many Biblical principals from many different bibles.

This principle is a foundation of what is Acadian. It exists like love that exists in a home cooked meal. It is there even though you can not see it. We love the food and the language and the way they speak with their whole body. Not to mention how they consider so many their "baby". No one with any moral existence can condone the injustices that were done to the Acadian as well as the Native Americans or African Americans or Jews. But oh, the wonder and the beauty that come in people who have overcome.