If eating jerk chicken, playing Caribbean-themed Family Feud and learning island dances is considered a history lesson, then the Caribbean Student Association (CSA) is teaching while also providing culturally rich fun.
This might not be the typical way to learn history, but it’s what keeps 25 association members coming to meetings held twice a month.
“We host fun events and activities to inspire students to learn about Caribbean cultures,” says Deidre-Ann Murray, the group’s president.
CSA exists to provide social, cultural and educational activities for its members to immerse themselves in a variety of Caribbean cultures by way of crafts, cuisine and dancing.
Everyone is welcome to attend to learn about Caribbean ancestry, regardless of their background. Eighty-five percent of CSA’s current members are of Caribbean descent, including Murray, who’s an exchange student from Jamaica.
“There aren’t that many Caribbean students at FGCU,” says club member Jessica Williams. “I’m Guyanese, so it’s a great way to come together and have a family away from home.”
A typical club gathering might feature a Caribbean potluck consisting of baked macaroni and cheese and plantains, a hands-on activity — such as “Know Your Flag” where students are grouped together to create a flag that describes their ancestry — and the occasional dance instruction. With the help of FGCU’s Haitian Student Organization, CSA has taught its members the basics of kompa, zouk, merengue, bachata and palance.
“We try to target each meeting to different Caribbean cultures,” Murray says.
She and other CSA officers research different cultures prior to each meeting and create events based on specific celebrations held throughout the Caribbean.
Each spring semester, the organization hosts Holi — an India-originated festival of color and love celebrated throughout Caribbean cultures.
“Holi is basically like a paint party,” Murray says. “We provide students with shirts and packets of paint powder.”
Aside from throwing paint on one another, Murray educates attendees about the history of the festival.
Other events include a celebration of Bob Marley’s birthday, a Caribbean Christmas in which attendees donate gifts to the Toys for Tots Foundation and contribute to the annual Riddim Runway Caribbean music and fashion show held at FGCU.
“I see a lot of growth for this club,” says Murray. “It helps to promote the Caribbean culture on campus and throughout the community.”
- Read about other student organization and campus activities in Pinnacle.