My point is that the slang term "coon" is not universally understood to be a reference to African American individuals. I didn't know anything about it until university, and I wasn't in any way shielded from the public in my childhood.

But, hey, you're the one who asked the question. "Close your eyes and say the word “coon”…who immediately comes to mind?" was the way you put it. I answered honestly, because to me, "coon" is and has always been "raccoon".

If you don't like the answer, don't ask the question.