Acadiana Schoolroom In 1927 is a painting by Seaux-N-Seau Soileau which was uploaded on January 18th, 2016.
Acadiana Schoolroom In 1927
Children in Acadiana were not allowed to speak French in school. My mother knew no English when she entered school. She was often punished. My... more
Title
Acadiana Schoolroom In 1927
Artist
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau
Medium
Painting - Acrylic On Canvas
Description
Children in Acadiana were not allowed to speak French in school. My mother knew no English when she entered school. She was often punished. My father was bi-lingual. He sometimes got in trouble for speaking French but he often got in trouble for other things.
One Monday Dad brought a whole box full of flying squirrels and a baby raccoon that he had trapped over the weekend. He would sell the critters to the other students. He tripped as he was walking into the schoolroom. The teacher was very upset as the box the animals were in flew open and there were animals everywhere. The teacher told my father one of his parents would have to go to school the next day to straighten things out. His mother couldn't go because she had a new baby. His father couldn't go because he owned the only store in town. His parents decided to send his older brother. His older brother smooth things over very well. He and the teacher were married a few months later. That is how my daddy's teacher became his sister in law. Daddy always told me, "It is ok to bring critters to school. Sometimes you get money for the critters. Sometimes that will make additions to your family!
The discrepancy between the date in title and chalkboard is to emphasize the long time that the Cajun and Creole students were punished for speaking French. My friends and I were punished too. The dates punishments spanned over a half century but these dates correlate more with my parents years in school. Students who have a strong Cajun French accent today are often sent to speech therapy.
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Uploaded
January 18th, 2016
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Comments (42)
Bernadette Krupa
Seaux-N-Seau, an absolute beautiful painting "Acadiana Schoolroom In 1927"! Congrats on multiple Features - Created by Southern Artist, 10 Plus and Images That Excite!! L/F
Andrew Wilson
What a wonderful way of recording family history!
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau replied:
Thank you, Andrew!! I have had lots of fun retelling my family's stories!!
Arlane Crump
Wonderful drawing and great description! I remember hearing about this sort of thing from my father as well!
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau replied:
Thank you, Arlane!! My dad was raised along Bayou Pon-Pon and there are still lots of unusual critters to see there!!
Steve Gass
Great historical rendition. I can see this happening back then.
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau replied:
Thank you Steve!!! It is so sad that the Cajun and Creole French was stifled back then. So thankful that it is making a comeback with French Immersion Programs in local schools. This truly happened to my Dad. My aunt would laugh until she would cry every time she told the story. It was a family favorite and I wanted to preserve the story for my children and grandchildren.
Debra and Dave Vanderlaan
What a great painting, with a fine story and wonderful mood! We added our Like. Celebrate life, Debra and Dave
Kay Brewer
That's such an amazing (and sad in many ways) story you told that generated this painting. It's a wonderful creation and tells the story beautifully. l/f/t/g+
Seaux-N-Seau Soileau replied:
Thank you!! Yes, it is sad in that our culture was stifled. I wanted to blend both the sad and the funny so that it would attract a larger audience. The French in Acadiana have a unique "Joy of Life." I wanted that joy to be portrayed. Lafayette, Louisiana is in the center of Acadiana and has been recognized as "America's Happiest City"