Seton Hall is home to people from many different ethnic backgrounds. The community looks to respect these backgrounds and celebrate the different cultures. One student organization that is looking to do this is the West Indian Student Organization (WISO).
WISO is an organization that celebrates the cultures of the West Indies. According to the World Population Review, the West Indies are a set of 27 islands in the Caribbean. Some notable islands in the West Indies are Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica.
WISO looks to give space to students with West Indian backgrounds to connect and share their culture.
“We achieve this by hosting engaging events that provide opportunities for everyone to learn more about the West Indies,” said Laura Montero, a freshman chemistry major and secretary of WISO.
One major event coming up for the organization is the WISO Carnival in April. Every year the WISO holds a carnival that celebrates the emancipation of Caribbean countries.
“This event highlights our music,” said Dannell Smith, a senior psychology major and president of WISO. Along with traditional music, Smith also said that WISO “ usually get[s] food from local Caribbean restaurants” for the event.
Smith said she joined the organization as a freshman, thanks to people she knew who were already a part of the WISO. Smith mentioned that she felt welcomed into the group from the start and looks to continue to foster that community feel. As she finishes her final months as president, she said she looks to make the organization an even stronger community.
“We’re very friendly people and our goal at the end of the day is to make your college experience more enjoyable,” Smith said. “We’re also always open to suggestions, so if there is any way we can serve the community better we’re always listening.”
Some members of the organization have ideas about how to make WISO a stronger organization.
“One challenge that WISO faces on campus is the lack of outreach within other clubs and people who are not of West Indies origin,” Montero said. “Many people may think that the club is exclusively for West Indies students, but in fact, anyone can attend events and learn more about our culture.”
However, WISO has made strides in its outreach. Recently, they held an event called “Toxic Talk” with Adelante.
Adelante is an organization that empowers Latino voices on campus. In “Toxic Talk,” the WISO and Adelante discussed the experiences and challenges of growing up in Caribbean and Latino households. Some groups of people, like Puerto Ricans and Cubans, share both Latino and West Indian backgrounds.
“We got our audiences to connect on shared experiences and cultural similarities,” Smith said.
Overall, the group is looking to create a space for students of West Indian descent to share and celebrate their culture. Senior management major and treasurer Jonathan Fenton has simple advice for people looking to join.
“Come with an open mind, be ready to learn and engage, and don’t be afraid to connect with new people,” Fenton said. “It’s fun being a part of WISO, so join the fun.”
Matthew Mendives is a writer for The Setonian’s Campus Life section. He can be reached at matthew.mendives@student.shu.edu.
