The Caribbean Carnival, an event hosted by the Caribbean Student Association at Binghamton University, has been indefinitely canceled by the administration because of security concerns over the carnival’s nighttime event.
According to the CSA Web site, the annual event, which would have been held for nearly 30 years on Nov. 7, usually pulls in more than 2,500 participants from colleges and universities across the Northeast.
Traditionally the carnival consists of two parts: a day show that includes student performances and a night show that features prominent and Grammy award-winning reggae and soca artists. In the past these have included Sean Paul and Elephant Man.
The night performance raised concern for the administration at BU.
“The decision to place the Saturday night portion of Caribbean Carnival on indefinite hiatus was made after careful review of the history of the event,” said Brian Rose, the vice president for student affairs.
According to Rose, the night show started as a student event that could be accommodated in the Mandela Room of the Old University Union, but in recent years there have been attendants who are not affiliated with BU, which requires the University “to stretch its resources too far.”
The decision to cancel the carnival raised serious concern for students on campus looking forward to the event.
“Students are concerned that the administration’s decision is a one-sided act of control on the part of the University, targeting students of color, as most of the patrons to the event are minorities,” stated a press release by the CSA. “Students have begun their fight to restore their program and to shake the oppressive bully tactics of the administration, which seeks to silence their voices in public spaces.”
These actions of protest included the anticipated withdrawal of funds and support from alumni connected with the CSA and a letter-writing campaign aimed at Rose and BU President Lois DeFleur in an “effort to fight against growing and ongoing discrimination against CSA,” the release said.
A town hall style meeting between the leadership and alumni of the CSA and administration to discuss the cancellation of the carnival was held Nov. 3.
“It is the hope of the University administration that CSA will take the occasion afforded by the indefinite hiatus of the night show to work with the University to re-imagine and re-invent the Carnival program,” Rose said.
According to Rose, the administration will be working with the CSA to create an event that will provide students the opportunity to experience Caribbean culture while providing for the safety of participants and staff at the event.
“Recently CSA has shared with us some ideas that show genuine effort and thought in trying to achieve such a balance,” he said.