- Filter by:
- All
Dude Weather Subscribe to Secrets Minneapolis / St. Paul
MNSpeak: Talk
Coon Rapids Deemed Derogatory
Seems a city council member is looking to change the name of Coon Rapids. The term "coon" has a warm fuzzy past as representation of the area's raccoon population, as well as a not so warm fuzzy past as a derogatory word for black people. Businesses shy away from it's non-bustling sound, and residents who travel are mocked. Would you change the name? What would you change it to? (Note: The council member has already taken some imaginative leaps such as "River Rapids" and "River City", so you might have to stretch to think of something else.)
143 Reader Comments
Aqua-Net Falls
Um, well, the obvious choice is 'Sidoti Rapids'.
There are already 18 major River Cities, including one in Minnesota. The one in Florida was originally called Alligator City, but they changed its name because college students were embarrassed to say where they were from, and I think they were wrong to do so, because they exchanged interesting for boring.
Maybe Raccon Rapids? Seems like it would solve the problem. Or Racoon City -- or was that the name of the doomed city in the Resident Evil games?
How about Snoopy Rapids?
Or maybe Poon Rapids? Seems like it would attact tourists.
I vote for Poon Rapids. No one could possibly find that offensive.
Oh, damnit! I was scooped.
Nyah.
This is easily the dumbest thing I've read all day.
Don't talk too loud!!!! I'm sure someone's ears perked up and this could be the next Dish, TX! Please, no. Not here.
(...and I'm in the same boat as Alexis, which is impressive considering I read most of the hipster thread today)
How about "Increasingly Indistinguishable Minneapolis Suburb #41"?
Or maybe "Anoka Lite"?
I so agree with Alexis. This is absolutely retar... err... *must... be... politically... correct*... "stupid".
True story: when I was a baby, I had a stuffed animal -- a raccoon. Much to my mother's distress, the raccoon's nickname was "Coon." It didn't go over so well at the checkout lane in grocery stories, with a kid screaming "I want my coon!"
(She took it away from me when I started pre-school. I was a late-bloomer.)
They should call it the place where the Dam USED TO BE. Turn it all into white water from Fridly to the falls.
Man, why is Coon Rapids an issue? No one is making a big deal about CRACKERTOWN, FL! It's right next to "YankeeTown" seriously.
Ray Coon-
Well, we're not Floridans either. ...and I'm not trying to give the situation any kind of legitimacy by that statement.
Coon Rapids always sounded "old fur trader / native american-ish" to me, despite it being a shithole of a suburb. I never got the derogatory-vibe nor the lack of professionalism off of the name. If there's names of cities that are difficult for businesses in a global marketplace, how about Wayzata? Why-what? White Bear Lake? Oh jah yo betcha. Little Canada? Cute!
Maybe they have a point: there isn't much for business in Regina, Saskatchewan. I still remember the first time I heard that city pronounced out loud. "You're from where? Oh me too, I think!"
S4xt0n,
Yeah, I think all the global business intrests are going to Sioux Falls for the tax free corperate culture and don't care what any place is called, really. Demographics are more importaint then names, yea?
Funny story - a while back I ran into an old boy friend who happened to be black. In catching up he mentioned he'd bought a house. I asked where... he said Coon Rapids, then quickly added " my mother doesn't think any black person should live in a town that starts with Coon, but oh well, I did it anyways". He had a great sense of humor.
c'mon, what about wisconsin's Coon Valley?? whata buncha racists...
Haha Poon Rapids...
Didn't the Brave New Workshop make mention of Coon Rapids along with other potentially derogatory cities/lakes at some point?
My vote goes for West Blaine.
I think it would be great to change the name. It's not PC to be sensitive to derogatory racialisms that have been grandfathered into the 21st century. Claims about these moves being ridiculous usually come from enfranchised people who rarely have to deal with crap like this.
I wonder what Michael Fedo, author of The Lynchings in Duluth, who lives in Coon Rapids might think.
I wonder if Frogtown over here in St. Paul will be next.
What if the "denizens" of MN speak all lived in their own city? What would it be called? Here are some ideas for this dreamy utopia? "unjustified urban elitist....ville", "hilarious mockery of mentally handicapped people seated in blase anti-political correctness but when you think about it calling something retarded (or gay) is really needless and hurtful and refraining from it is not so much engaging in some silly knee-jerk liberalism but just an simple act of respect...town". Any more ideas?
Yeah. "WeirdCommentVille." Dude, the words "gay" and "retarded" didn't even exist on this page until you typed them!
"Retarded" was alluded to (see comment 11) and "gay" was thrown in as an example of another word used in a similar way to strengthen the point, convoluted as it may seem to thine tender ears. I just thought of another one, "Poor-Exegesis City".
p.s. dude, you've just been punk'd.
Anyway, what's with liquor stores being open until 10 now on weekdays?
Has anyone ever actually been offended by Coon Rapids or is it a pre-emptive thing? Are there large groups of black people in Coon Rapids?
I say change the name to Uranus Falls or Honky Junction.
Water Lake.
It's the perfect name for a Minnesota town.
I've been running a national high school debate tournament for about the last 10 years in Minneapolis. Every year some person who has never been here looks on the pairings (a schedule of who is debating who) and sees Coon Rapids. They are always like wtf.
To keep it from the obvious racist connotations, I just always referred to it as Crapids.
Hey xbryanx...I'm Native American. Dont talk to me about being "enfranchised". I'm far from it.
Carp Hole would be appropriate. Lots of them are caught in the river.
If someone is offended in a forest, and there's nobody there to blame, is it really offensive?
Should we rename Black Duck, too, while we're at it?
But Blackduck, MN actually has a black duck in front of city hall. Quack!
I don't think this has been posted yet: Short History of Coon Rapids.
"Clay Hole" it is, then.
How about "Colored Rapids"?
Or if that seems offensive, how about "Colored Rapids Falls"?
Clearly this is the work of CJ.
How about renaming Black Duck= "Grey Duck"
Coon Rapids could be "Not Overtly Racist, Minnesota"
How about "We're a little hung up on race issues around here so we need to do stupid things like change team nicknames and even city names, Minnesota"?
If I lived in Crapids I'd be looking to change the name in exchange for free wifi. Dish, Any State, USA-it's all the rage y'know.
[snark]
Think of the business possibilities people! AquaFina™ Rapids or Dasani™ Rapids brought to you by the CocaCola™ bottling company.
Naming towns after animals or rivers is so 18th century. This is the 21st Century! The town name needs zaz! A synergy could be created if you sell the naming rights to large corporation!
I'm thinking General Mills™ city!
[/snark]
just wait, pretty soon the ACLU will be suing to change the name of St. Paul. its pretty obvious that it's blatent government sponsorship of catholicism
Oh the misgudied drive for political correctness. Coon Rapids, a completely innocent place-name, seen as offensive by some idiotic shallow thinker(s) with way too much time on their hands.
Consider also the term CoonAss. A nickname proudly worn by people of Acadian descent in Louisiana. Some people think it is an ethnic slur against blacks. Here's the real story.
The origin of the term is said to have come from the French word "conasse". During the Second World War, many Cajun men served in the armed forces. When in France, many of the French heard the Cajuns speaking in a French that was both very old and in a French that had some very odd words. The Frenchmen called the Cajuns "conasse" which translates to a very low-grade prostitute. I would think this comes from the fact that, although they spoke a form of French, the Cajuns weren't real Frenchmen.
This is awfully silly. It reminds me of the municipal employee in Washington who was fired a few years ago for using the word niggardly in a meeting. Someone got their briefs in a bunch over it (without ever checking the definition, of course -- it means reluctant), and the guy needlessly lost his job.
Coon = raccoon. It's unfortunate that it has an uglier definition, but the name was not devised as a slur. How 'bout let's find a real problem to solve, huh?
I don't think white people should be the ones to play up or play down the Coon Rapids issue. Dan H., if you're white, it's not for you to decide (as you stated above) that it's not a 'real problem'.
We should all keep in mind that, in these days of white-baby-boomer-driven urban gentrification that necessitates large numbers of lower income (i.e., disproportionately non-white) people to the disenfrachised and transportationally/economically challenged outer suburbs (coon rapids, brooklyn pk/ctr, etc.), the very LEAST we as a growing commnity can do is seriously consider the ramifications of said township name and change it for the better.
Belittling the plight of the socially oppressed *IS* a real problem, even if it feels trivial to you.
fleurdelisa, white baby boomers live in the suburbs, like Crapids. Yuppy hipsters are the ones driving urban gentrification.
I think you're missing the point that this is being proposed as a way of strengthening Coon Rapids's business community, not out of a desire to silence nonexistent critics.
Plus, the name "Coon Rapids" is objectively silly.
Okay, so "Coon Rapids" is short for "Coon Creek Rapids," so obviously they just need to replace the offensive word with the one that was removed, so it would become "Coon Creek," or more officially: "The City of Coon Creek."
be thankful that you're not from cockermouth, england
Thankful -- or regretfull.
They should have to fill out something like this.
Apparently Durban, South Africa, is now called "eThekwini, which translates as "In the Bay" (although some controversy was caused when several eminent Zulu linguists claimed that the name actually means "the one-testicled one" referring to the shape of the bay)."
I think we should keep in mind that the word "Rapids" is from the same Latin root as "rape". So, I propose African American Consensual Sex.
Oli, I like your ideas and want to subscribe to your newsletter.
I think this is a load of crap coon rapids is perfectly fine unless you make a big deal about it
My cousin lives in Blacklick, Ohio.
Instead of Coon Rapids, how about Scandinubia?
Thandiwe Rapids?
I was raised in Coon Rapids. The idea of renaming the city comes up every few years. I think the perceived racial slur is only a part of the problem -- it's really about the larger marketing issues.
Let's say the city is competing against other Twin Cities suburbs to convince an out-of-state business owner to locate a facility there. Coon Rapids is at an immediate disadvantage simply because of its name and the perception it creates.
Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Edina, West Saint Paul -- all of these have a vaguely pleasant ring to them or are, at a minimum, neutral-sounding. Any of them might be a total shithole -- you can't tell based on the name.
But the city leaders in Coon Rapids start their presentation at an immediate disadvantage, just because their city has a stupid name. The city has to convince the business owner that Coon Rapids is actually an attractive place to live and work in spite of the name. The business owner then has to consider what they'd need to do to recruit people to live and work in such a place. Who knows -- Coon Rapids could actually be the poshest suburb in the entire metro, but the name makes it sound like... well... like Coon Rapids.
I dealt with this on a micro scale all through my childhood and early adulthood. Those familiar with the metro area made all kinds of assumptions about me when I said I was from Coon Rapids. People unfamiliar with the area usually laughed in disbelief and guessed I must have come straight out of "Deliverance," checking to make sure I still had all my teeth.
My point is -- names matter. If your friend tells you he has this really hot babe he wants you to go out with, and her name is "Edna," a perception forms in your head. If he says her name is "Bunni," a different perception forms. It might be fleeting -- depending on how shallow you are -- but it's there. And perception counts for a lot in today's economy. That's why this keeps coming up in good ol' CR.
BTW -- when this has come up in the past, the name that always got kicked around was "Riverdale," which, I think, is a neighborhood or subdivision of the city.
For what it's worth -- Coon Rapids is a total shithole and pretty deserving of its name as far as I'm concerned. Changing the name would be, as they say, putting lipstick on a pig.
Thanks for that history of the name change Dave. Very interesting.
I think Archie, Betty and Veronica are from Riverdale...
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
And that bunch of crap relates to Coon Rapids how?
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Er, 'bunch of crap', moe?
Hey,
FYI every time I send a letter or card to my friends who live in COON RAPIDS, I write COOL RAPIDS and of course with the right zip code it get's there. My vote is to change the name to COOL RAPIDS - it's COOL!
-Bonnie
Guess White Plains NY will need to change their name too.
White Bear Lake will now be called Bear Lake
The name Coon Rapids does not do justice to the community-even with our friends who live in the suburbs of the twin cities-most of the names of our twin cities suburbs are better than ours-have you ever gone down town mpls-what kind of reaction does someone give you when you tell them you are from COON Rapids--Drop the name-even another name that is already taken by another city is better than COON Rapids--
What about--Burl Oaks or MAjestic Oaks or Greenhaven or Canyon Rapids---
Its time for a name change! COON Rapids will never be a respected city name in our state or in our country--and if anyone thinks otherwise than you have never left or travel outside COON Rapids-
The name Coon Rapids does not do justice to the community-even with our friends who live in the suburbs of the twin cities-most of the names of our twin cities suburbs are better than ours-have you ever gone down town mpls-what kind of reaction does someone give you when you tell them you are from COON Rapids--Drop the name-even another name that is already taken by another city is better than COON Rapids--
What about--Burl Oaks or MAjestic Oaks or Greenhaven or Canyon Rapids---
Its time for a name change! COON Rapids will never be a respected city name in our state or in our country--and if anyone thinks otherwise than you have never left or travel outside COON Rapids-
the name Coon Rapids does not do justice to the community-even with our friends who live in the suburbs of the twin cities-most of the names of our twin cities suburbs are better than ours-have you ever gone down town mpls-what kind of reaction does someone give you when you tell them you are from COON Rapids--Drop the name-even another name that is already taken by another city is better than COON Rapids--
What about--Burl Oaks or MAjestic Oaks or Greenhaven or Canyon Rapids---
Its time for a name change! COON Rapids will never be a respected city name in our state or in our country--and if anyone thinks otherwise than you have never left or travel outside COON Rapids-
HOW ABOUT--"WHO GIVES A SHIT RAPIDS"
How about the people who live in Big Bone Lick, Indiana?
They also need to change those signs! The animal on them looks like a rabid raccoon in Riverdance.
Try telling someone that you live in Ham Lake (because "they" thought the lake was shaped like a ham). It did go for a vote and was voted down (Ham Lake or Glen Cary?)
How about Andover or Blaine -- just what is a Blaine (sounds like a medical condition)?
My personal favorite ..... Keister, MN ...
The fact that this is even an issue is ridiculous. I grew up in Coon Rapids, and I have never been ashamed to say the name "Coon Rapids." The name stems from the history of the land, and history can not be changed, so let's not mess with it. By the way, what's more offensive than any city name are the mean spirited things people are saying about CR. If you're not a CR resident, it doesn't really matter what you think anyway.
Send in your suggestions now!
oopsie....http://www.startribune.com/462/story/209587.html
Here's the deal: I thought this was a ridiculous concern (name of Coon Rapids) until I saw a teenage girl on t.v. being asked by a reporter how she felt about the name. She was black, and she responded, "Well, I don't really like having to tell people I'm from Coon Rapids." And, I got it - - the name should be changed so that young girl & others don't have to go around being embarrassed to say where she's from. It's not a big deal to me or most people, but it's a humiliation to that girl. And if it refers to racoons, then call it Racoon Rapids. If you're a resident of Coon Rapids and nostalgic about the name, then tattoo it on your forehead.
And it is not at all the same thing as "Frogtown." Unless you can produce a French person from "Frogtown" who suffers from the name.
Oh cry me a river!! Or should I say a creek.
I'm sorry... how does changing the name hide the fact that coon rapids *IS* a hick town?
How about changing to Coon City
Please! Is Coon Rapids truly experiencing any marketing disadvantages due to its name? 65K people live there, right? 65K?
The only folks that are truly offended by the city's name are those that are just looking for an excuse to cry "racism." Let's move on, people.
After living in Coon Rapids for more than two decades and then moving to the south I NEVER say that I once lived in Coon Rapids, MN. The offense it would cause among the people I live and work would be great. I always say we moved here from Minneapolis. It is high time for a name change to something that that doesn't require an explanation of its origin. Change the name and the sooner the better!!!
I agree with Sidoti. The name is embarrassing and should be changed. I grew up in Coon Rapids and always say I am from Minneapolis if anyone asks (from another part of the state or country). It is a hick name and the people who like it, well, maybe the name is fitting for them... Maybe that's one reason I left. Coon Rapids sucks. Is there anything besides a business to work on your car on Coon Rapids Blvd? Where is the city council on that issue? Maybe that is a beginning. Where is the center of Coon Rapids, anyway? Drive into the city and it is very depressing.
Great Idea! I know that it will be costly but would certainly be made up in revenue in the City. I am a home builder and would be reluctant to build there because of the name. The council member is right, the name is a problem. I have thought that for years.
I do not support changing the name - but do want to share an experience. While traveling to Knoxville TN for work, someone heard me mention my hometown, they didn't believe me and laughed and asked if they could see my drivers license - they busted a gut. For the next week, people in the office came up and asked to see my id - serious!
Now, when I communicate with anyone outside the state I use Minneapolis or a Suburb North of Minneapolis.
p.s. - Those same Knoxville folks can't get their tongues around Minneapolis and it always comes out Mindianapolis....I stopped trying to correct them.
The name is derogatory and offensive. You should be ashamed to say you are from Coon Rapids.
We are from Coon Rapids, therefore, we are slaves to what others think?
I now live in Boston, but grew up in Coon (Creek) Rapids. If pressed to divulge, folks are quite amused when I tell them that I grew up in a town that contains a racial slur. This discussion is so overdue that it may now be pointless (since we now live in a PC backlash of a world). They may as well go with Negro Falls at this point.
For the record, I too NEVER tell people where I'm from . . . it's always Minneapolis, and if they press as to where, I am still vague, in stating "north of the Twin Cities". Not exactly the cultural mecca of the midwest . . .
Wait a minute...what the heck is WRONG with being from a "hick" town?
I LIKE living outside of a small town...I DON'T like big city living; with all of it's problems, traffic, pollution, etc. Whether a name sounds "19th Century" or "21st Century" is irrevelant to business location decisions. The town I live close to, Montrose, has a neutral name; but can't attract a grocery store.
As to the racial "issue"...if you don't like the name, don't move there. There are plenty of communities that are affordable near Coon Rapids, so affordability isn't an excuse.
I'm not saying not to change the name, or TO change it; the people of Coon Rapids should decide - but decide with facts, not because of fallacious reasoning or the over-sensitivity of someone who needs to develop thicker skin. "Sioux" is a derogatory name for the Dakota/Lakota people - "Sioux" Falls, "Sioux" City...et al.
I think we're missing a great opportunity to be different from all the other mundane suburban community names. How about renaming the city "Bob"? Shorter than our zip code, easy to spell.
Or how about Baja Anoka?
Or how about Best City By a Dam Site?
why do towns need names?
It's simple, care a little less about what others think of the name of your hometown, and move on! I was born and raised right here in Coon Rapids and proud of it. If someone in the southern metro or on the left or right coasts does not like our name or reputation, so be it. It will not effect my life, nor should effect anybody elses. Economic disadvantage? Horse-puckey!!!!!!!!! This town is 99% developed with some of the biggest industry and retail companies on the DOW. Our homes are modestly priced and we have the best police and fire protection in the country. It is safe, clean, and bustling! See ya on the boulevard.
I think you're all missing the fact that we could potentially have a town named Poon Rapids. Just think about that for a second.
I think Coon Rapids is the best city in the world and if Sidoti doesn't like it he can do business elsewhere. Our name will remain Coon Rapids, and we should get the raccoon picture and our letterhead back on our water towers. Maybe we should change our name to West Blaine..oh wait they are our biggest rival!! It's people like Sidoti that make Coon Rapids look bad. I guess he just doesn't like the city he has lived in for 37 years and the name Coon Rapids isn't "cute" enough for him anymore.
Why doesnt Mr. Sidoti just keep his business cards with Minneapolis on them. It sounds like he is the one that is trying to benefit from the name change. Mr. Sidoti, get real. If you dont like the name of the town you live in, move.
I say Bob or Bongers.
Although I do like Increasingly Indistinguishable Minneapolis Suburb #41
Are you kidding me? Changing the name isn't going to help the reputation of Coon Rapids. Clean up the clientele and you might be proud of the name. I wouldn't send my dogs to any of the schools in Coon Rapids.
Has anyone looked into the history of why Coon Rapids was named Coon Rapids in the first place? I'm sure there's some significance.
Polack Rapids?
Well I can see both sides of the issue. If you are nostalgic and have lived in Coon Rapids most/all of your life then you should be proud of the name depicting the place you live. On the other side of the issue some will argue that the world has changed.
1) Coon, slang for Raccoon was turned into an ugly name for Black Americans a long time ago. Does anyone want to explain the meaning behind the racial connotation?
2) You cant escape the fact that Coon Rapids or Coon anything sounds back woodsish. Decades ago Coon Rapids was back woods to the larger Metro area. There are a lot of places in the USA that sound back woods'ish and there are also a lot of places that have changed their name.
3) Names are important in describing people, places and things. If the world were a perfect place then a name would not matter. But the world is not perfect.
What is so wrong about putting the city name change up for a vote? If a majority of people believe that there would be a benefit to them to have the name changed, then it should be changed. On the other hand if a majority likes it the way it is then those who would like to see it changed will find some way to get along, in good old Coon Rapids.
I think it is a good idea to revisit this topic every 30 years or so.
My parents came to Coon Rapids in 1947, so I've lived here all my life. I also graduated from the schools here, as did my sons. I think it would be asinine to change the name to appease a few whining weenies who want to make it sound more like a generic Edina. If you talk to people out of state, most of them have heard of Minneapolis and St. Paul and that it gets cold here, and that's about it for their knowledge of Minnesota. I don't give a flying rip if someone out-of-state thinks that my city name is "Hick-ish" (it's not).
I suppose that Coon Creek will have to be renamed Water Creek and Coon Lake will need to be changed to Water Lake, as suggested by an earlier poster. This entire subject is so stupid, some would probably be happy to live in a city simply known as a zip code. If anyone has ever looked at a map, there are place names all over the world that someone would find silly or offensive. Heaven forbid there should be any historical or geographic relevance to the name of a city.
This is as irritating as the twits who buy houses next to the railroad tracks that have been there for 125 years and then complain about the noise. I don't care to live in Yupdale or Yuppie Rapids or even Dam Rapids. I don't care to be identified with Minneapolis - I've never lived there and it's in a different county. Let's just leave well enough alone. Don't waste my time and money on a name change. Let's put the raccoons back on the water towers, too. I can't fathom why anyone would move to a city they don't like the name of. People who don't like it here can go to Hell, Michigan. CJ should stick to the Strib.
I have lived in Coon Rapids for all my life, all 20 years of it. To think of wasting time, money, and valuable resources on changing something that doesn't need to be changed isn't worth it. I graduated from Coon Rapids High School, as did my brother and father. There isn't any point in changing a cities name considering the work that would be involved.
To name just a few things:
1.The name of the city's High School
2.The fact everyone would have to have their addresses changed on their subscriptions, and all things that come in the mail
3.Who knows how much money was spent to repaint the water tower off Crooked Lake Blvd. It says Coon Rapids, so wouldn't they have to repaint it yet again?
4.Just think of the hassle that would be involved in having every city business renew their licenses and addresses. If people think the businesses are scarce now, just think how many would leave due to a city name change?
From the mouth of a young adult to the closed ears of Sidoti, go find something else to complain about, leave the city name alone!
Leave it alone. There are two towns in Arkansas with worse name, and noone there seems to care. The names are Bald Knob and the other is Weiner. It's easy to see that someone has way too much time on their hands to want to change every piece of information in the world about it just for the sake of prestige.
I responded to a similar post in the Strib online. My offer of "West Blaine" was among the finalists.
Others names listed in the "Name that Suburb" article are:
" Cool Rapids
" Raccoon Rapids
" Creek Rapids
" East Anoka
" Northdale
" Hotdish Hollow
I have lived in Coon Rapids for over 30 years. As a creative person, I have never minded telling that I am from Coon Rapids. It sounds quaint, charming and beautifully idyllic. Since it is a huge suburb that seems to be a bedroom community to the Twin Cities, its name has charm. As for raccoons, we recently had one trying to nest in the eaves of our home. He was sitting very quietly, but his ringed tail was sticking out of the hole in the eaves. We enjoy the nature and the natural beauty of the Coon Rapids Dam and its hiking trails and parks. Most of the residents are not pretentious, but very down to earth, hard working, friendly people. I like the city, its name, and its people. Sounds idyllic to me. =)
I've lived in Coon Rapids for less than two years, and must admit I really dislike the name. It does sound "hick-ish" when in reality, the city is working towards changing the existing stereotypes. It's not a town in Arkansas, it's a decent size city with many shops and restaurants - and it's expanding.
From a marketing standpoint, it does make sense. If you want to drive high end retailers etc... to this area, "Coon Rapids" is a turn off.
The people who have lived here for a long time might think it's crazy to change the name. "I've lived here all my life..." okay. super. Are you going to move just because the name is different. So the water tower has to be repainted. Big deal. Our addresses need to be changed? Heavens, no! Isn't it worth having a more thriving economy, perhaps bring more jobs to the area?
People don't assume you're a "hick" because of the name of the town you live in. They will more likely make that assumptioin from looks or actions. For those of you who don't live in Coon Rapids, MN, let it go and quit trying to spend my tax dollars. It will be the people of the city that end up paying for any name change and for those of us who are natives of the town, we know that it won't stop at the changing of the town name. Streets, Avenues, developements, businesses, every city vehicle, all in need of change. Unless the ACLU or other organization is going to pony up the funds to completely erase the reference to the old name completely, then I say NO. There are better things to spend my tax dollars on like fixing a crubling school system, or straightening the road through the Riverdale area (stupid roundabouts).
If the point is to attract high-end retailers I would rename it Banana Republic - then they'd have to build one there. If the goal is to not be offensive, a change from Coon Rapids to Marcus Garvey is the obvious choice.
The votes here are split between "Increasingly Indistinguishable Minneapolis Suburb #41" and "The City Formerly Known as Coon Rapids."
If the psuedo-racists that are so 'concerned' about this issue would agree, why not just simply switch names with "the Northside" of Minneapolis?
Coon Rapids becomes "Northside".
And the "Northside" will be known as Coon Rapids!
Otherwise - shut up!
Kanye Rapids
Derogatory! Its only derogatory if its meant to be insulting. True, Coon Rapids is a thriving community of 65,000 people but, that doesnt mean its not a hick town. We city folk dont call it the Redneck Bottleneck for nothing. How many pickup trucks are owned per household there? How many fans of NASCAR live there? Thats what happens when the city expands faster than its local residence is ready for.
If you want to change the name; try Crapids because, thats what we urban folk call it. If we change Coon Rapids to a prettier name, we run the risk of people who live there telling other people from out state that they are from Minneapolis or St. Paul. Much like people from Illinois who all claim they are from Chicago. Do we really want people from Coon Rapids representing the Twin Cities?
Crapids (Coon Rapids) is not a suburb nor should it be named as a suburb. Its just a city formed out of the farmland and country side. Perhaps when the pickup truck-to-household ratio is less than 1:1 we can consider changing the name& but, not before that.
The history behind the name is not referring to a racial slur, if fact, that slur, I believe, went out around 30 years ago along with honky. Let's get over the racial bit. What bothers me is Tidoti's or whatever his name is, concern about "Coon Rapids" not being able to lure lucrative business into the city. That's probably why we have the first Lowe's in the state of Minnesota? We have a new shopping complex, new restaurants, etc. I think he has his own agenda and obviously his heart is not with the city of Coon Rapids. Leave us alone!
Hey, Minnecrapolis! Redneck Bottleneck? You're right, we're not a suburb of MPLS. It's pretty hard for us to feel inferior when we can park our pickup trucks in our driveways during a snowstorm, instead of how you store your BMW at the impound lot. I admit, we don't have those cute 40 foot wide lots with little alleyway driveways behind, but we make the best of it.
Excuse me, but I got to go slop the hogs I keep out back of my trailer house. There's one out there with lipstick all dolled up fer them urbane city folks.
I just feel sorry for the animal. Poor thing, everyone thinks he is a racist. All because someone named him that. So I guess that means someone will need to put in a request to change the name of the animal now.
I think to change the name of Coon Rapids would be completly pointless, who honestly is going to start calling River Rapids, River City and so on. Everyone whos anyone will call it Coon Rapids, pretty much wasting money because of Joe Idiot
I can't stand you white mother fuckers who think this shit is funny. I'm a white person who love all people of all races and some of the things you say makes me sick. I hope all of you fuck holes go to hell.
Is it mere coincidence that Sidoti is an anagram of idiots? I think not! Perhaps he should move to Minneapolis, then he wouldn't have to pretend that he lives there. There are dumb sounding, archaic city names all over the metro area. Why not just rename the whole 7 county area Mega Center and be done with it once and for all. Then everyone could live in the same city happily ever after.
Not to worry, it's over, cooked, stick a fork in it.
I heard today thet Sidoti was just fanaticizing about a name change!
Darn, I was hoping for a new name so I could brag to all my freids that I moved up in thw world.
Seriously, "Coon Rapids" is an incredibly stupid name for any city outside of Appalachia, but when you're moving into a new home, don't you generally know the name of the community in which it's situated? I say that if you're comfortable with calling a place called Coon Rapids "home," then it probably suits you. For most people like myself who've fled that glamorous nucleus of the North Suburban Cultural Corridor, it's not just the name of the place that sends you packing...it's the desire not to live in the midst of a bunch of inbred pickup-driving redneck idiots.
I have to say, however, that recent visits have me convinced that the joint should be renamed "Big Box Retailer, Minnesota" or "Unlimited Olive Garden Salad and Breadsticks, Minnesota" or "I Don't Have A Problem With Black People But I Can Tell You Exactly How Many There Are In My Neighborhood And Where They Live, Minnesota."
Hey Carolin, I'm from the South (North Carolina) and I don't have any problem saying Minneapolis. And I've never "busted a gut" nor asked for ID because someone comes from a town starting with the word "coon". I did ask a second time when someone told me they were from "Intercourse", Pennsylvania, though. That is a town that probably deserves a lot more attention in this vein than the one ya'll (yep, I said it and proudly) are debating.
I sure hope that Embarrass Minnesota won't change the name. I am from there, and I have heard all the jokes. Enjoy your unusual name, as my fellow Embarrassites do theirs.
It's mostly the carpet-bagging yuppie-scum politically-correct mavens of mind-numbing blandness that want a different name. The thought that the name of Coon Rapids is keeping any retailers out is the height of ridicularity. Companies are more interested in demographics and per capita income than anything else when they decide where to locate. What's next on the hit list, Elk River? Or maybe Bird Island? You could always move to Fertile, or Good Thunder.
Maybe the people of Coon Rapids don't want their city to be taken over by yuppies. And changing the name would only encourage gentrification. I say good for them for shooting down this nonsense.
We can relax now, fellow Coon Rapids residents. The name change is officially off the table of the city council. Now we need to get the racoons back on the water towers. Thanks are due to those who voiced their opposition to the change, and to those who wanted a change, pthbbbbt!!
My first thought of the name change was, "It must be a slow month on the city council." As far as Anyone who would not want to live or build in a city because of its name, is probably not someone or business we would want anyway. More than that, anyone who was that misserable living in Coon Rapids that they would call it a shithole is probably better off being misserable some where else.
I agree that we lost our identity for the Coon in Coon Rapids when they took the racoon off the water tower. That was really dum and should have been stopped. Again, it must have been a slow month. What the heck does a leaf have to do with our city? They could have at least put a Cardinal on there to support the school.
I do have to share this. Back when Boys to Men was popular they were on the radio, and the DJ mentioned about them going to sign autographs in Coon Rapids. One of the men said, "What is it called! Coon Rapids Oh No! I don't think I want to go there." It was pretty funny.
So many changes now days because one or two get a wild hair up their but. I'm glad my community spoke up.
Screw Sidoti, he was a cock growing up, I played hockey with him.
How about "almost to Canada"? Add a little flair with "almost to Canada bitch".
Meth Crapids
In a hilarious parallel with the ridiculous University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux activists, it appears that the LIBERALS are the ones that get rattled by Coon Rapids.
Huh. Wonder why?
Because it is LIBERALS who perpetuate stereotypes.
Discuss.
In light of the Strib's complicity in calling the the Cleveland Indian's the Indians.
But not calling the Redskins the Redskins.
Right?
well.. personally if all you people have to do is sit around and bash another city then thats a personal problem. i don't understand what our town has done to anyone? really? get a life oh my god.. how about worry about your own isuues and leave our town alone... if you dont live here then why are you so concerned?
and just to through it out there the term "coon" hasn't been used since like the year 1800 and we have a highly diverse town, there is nothing wrong with that the town is named after racoons...wow get over it sorry you get all sweaty about that issue
and just to let everyone know you can rest assured that the racoon is going back on the water tower..
I love it when people comment on two-year-old threads.
Apparently, the Internet has reached Coon Rapids. Thanks a lot, AOL.
I'm still offended by coon rapids' existence.
I'm offended by the existence of anyone who is offended.
We dont toss coons into the rapids now At least its not a tradition.
Hey, here's a thought: How about we ignore the percieved racial slur? The slur was never commonly used in Minnesota, the animal is indiginous to the area, there is a name history that goes back a century, and just because some ignorant fool hears the name and assumes some sort of negative connotation about the 9th largest city in the state of Minnesota, that it's the fault of the citizens.
Whew. I'm glad we got that resolved.
I wonder if he's the one with the famous wit? You know, rapier-like...
Post new comment
Today's Talk
Seeking TC Blogs
All right, it is time to expand my RSS Reader again with local blogs I haven't read before. If you kow of or have a local blog that produces local content (and it doesn't need to all be local content; just occasional), go ahead and pimp it here.…
July 4 Open Thread
WCCO has a list of where to see Independence Day fireworks; what are your July 4 plans?…
Voting With Your Dollar
An interesting discussion broke on on Twitter today when it came out that Baja Sol's CEO is also the chair of the Republican Party in Minneapolis, prompting some to decide not to eat there (summary and links to the conversation courtesy of Heavy Tabl…
Kline: Public Health Care 'Too Good'
From the Health Insurance Resouce Center: Interviewed on Minnesota Public Radio, Kline says as far as he's concerned, a health reform bill with a public option is a no-go. His reasoning is that it would be ... too successful. (Via)…
Next MnRead... The What/When/Where
At 8:30 AM on a Thursday in early July, I am unable to think of what books were recommended at the last MnRead meeting and in the last MnRead post for future MnRead discussion. So make your recommendations here. Books with local angles (Fitzgerald co…
More Burger Joints!
The PiPress reports: At least, there's one good thing about a bad economy: Burgers are hot right now. Especially the cheap ones. In the past year in the Twin Cities, a mini burger boom has been under way. What new burger joints have you enjoyed? Wha…
- Contact:
- Secrets Staff
- Write to Editors
- Send Press Release
- Reprint Request
- Work at Secrets of the City
- Our Address:
- Secrets of the City
- PO Box 3690
- Minneapolis, MN 55403
- (651) 356-8714
©2002-2009 Entropy Publishing, LLC. No part of this site may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of Entropy Publishing, LLC. except that an individual may print for personal use and/or forward articles via e-mail to a reasonable number of recipients for personal, non-commercial purposes. Thanks to FAMFAMFAM and Tango Project for their icons.
Media Partners
