Models from the Caribfest fashion show pose for group photo outside from Prothro-Yeager, Sept. 22. (Stephanie Garcia)

While universities around Texas make sweeping changes to stay in line with SB-17, which bans university-sanctioned DEI involvement, many student organizations are working to keep their place on campus afloat. The Caribbean Student Organization is among those working to reestablish its identity in the new landscape. Caribfest offered CSO and the rest of the campus community an outlet for the uniqueness of Caribbean culture on Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23.

Marketing senior Zhanique Connor organized the event and said it went according to her vision. She added that all the frustrations that come with coordinating a large event on campus were worth the final result.

“Fantastic. All of the stressing, the almost crying, the screaming, is actually paying off. Like it’s really nice to see the execution coming along. The vision that I really intended for it is really coming along, and tonight was actually amazing. Nothing short, but amazing,” Connor said.

Mikayla Bonnie, a senior studying pre-physical therapy and member of CSO, showcases a dress that embodies the rich heritage of Caribbean culture at Sunwatcher Plaza, Sept. 22. (Cecil Whiterspoon)

Mara Hill is pursuing a master’s in business analytics and attended the event. 

Hill said she wanted to experience the culture, but also see that culture shared with the broader community.

“Well, I’m from the Caribbean and that’s part of our culture, so I just came out to see how everyone performed and just to have a good time and listen to the music and the performance,” Hill said, later adding, “It’s very important because like I said, most of us here are from the Caribbean. And we want Americans and people at MSU to see our culture and how we celebrate things at home. So it’s pretty important to continue having that at MSU.”

Mechanical engineering senior Nathaniel Joseph performs at Caribfest in Sunwatcher Plaza, Sept. 22. (Stephanie Garcia)

Mechanical engineering senior Nathaniel Joseph performed several songs at the Friday night event. Joseph has won multiple Soca music competitions on campus.

He said that culture-sharing events like Caribfest are important because MSU attracts students from around the globe.

“You have a lot of people coming from, even thought they’re not coming from out of the states, they’re coming from Dallas, they’re coming from Austin, they’re coming from Houston, they’re coming from New York, you understand, all places in the world,” Joseph said, continuing, “Different continents and different states, anywhere, and they’re leaving their family and come here. So even if they might not be from our culture, they might learn something new. They might learn something about themselves, you know what I mean?”

He said that he believes there are benefits to events like Caribfest that expose communities to different cultures, adding that people can celebrate their differences while still working together.

“You can take part in a different culture and grow in that. You know it just, it just makes people grow. You know as a people, not just separated because you have a lot of isolation on it’s own. So I do see that’s something very important, we cannot forget who we are as a people. Recognizing our different backgrounds but embracing togetherness, that is how I put it,” Joseph said.

Ultimately, Joseph said he felt diversity remains important so that groups and individuals can maintain their identities.

“It’s very important to have culture on campus. Because what you don’t want is for people to feel that they are interchangeable, feel like objects,” Joseph said.

The Caribbean Student Organization celebrates its 25th anniversary with a festive parade, Sept. 23. (Stephanie Garcia)