The term is essentially identical to redneck
Who was that guy that got rich with the comedy routine and record of "You know you are a redneck if"?
I know lots of guys down here in the South that have no problem with being called redneck and some even seem to take some pride in it. Others might be offended if called a redneck.
I see coonass exactly the same way. I realize that some might be unfamiliar with the term but there is nothing racial involved it is sectional bigotry if anything and anyone that feels okay about calling someone a redneck would have to feel the same way about coonass