Yeah, and I get screamed at and flamed every time I use it in the Cajun context - as in "he's coonie" or coon-ass anything. Otherwise, I think it's an atrocious word in the "n" word category.
Give it time.
I worked in the oilfields, coon ass was acceptable in a jocular fashion among the roustabouts from Louisiana, a term called redbone would, quite possible, get you killed.
Those that know, will agree. Et toi?