Turn the TV off!

Voices of resistance: the role of newspapers and radio in times of revolution

“The medium is the message.” — Marshall McLuhan

Last month, I had the incredible honor of being featured on a radio program, where the brilliant host, Marc Medley, interviewed me about my upcoming book. It was a surreal moment, made even more special when I later found out he had interviewed Colin Powell and other famous people on this very show — an unexpected yet deeply resonant connection. Powell, too, is of Caribbean parentage, and Caribbean people love when other Caribbean people are on a world stage. We can’t help but unify and cheer for them.

The radio host later shared the interview recording with me and hearing my own voice on the airwaves instantly transported me back to my childhood, where the radio wasn’t just background noise; it was a lifeline, a cultural heartbeat.

I remember lazy afternoons spent tuning in to rich storytelling, spirited debates, and soulful music that filled every corner of our home. In many ways, that experience shaped my love for words, narratives, and the power of voice to ignite the imagination. To now be on the other side of the mic, sharing my own story — vis a vis talking about my upcoming book - felt like a full-circle moment — one that I’ll cherish forever.

I grew up in the Caribbean with the radio as a constant companion. Not every household had a TV, but they all had a radio — sometimes two. One would travel with those heading to the countryside to farm for the day, while the other stayed at home with the family. It was our window to the world, a portal that carried stories of faraway places and the crackling voice of history in the making: BBC World Service at noon, local announcements of those who had passed away, callers sharing words for their local politicians — and best of all, the cricket matches played by the West Indies abroad.

How radio forged Caribbean identity and resistance

I still remember watching male relatives, ears pressed to their small speakers, as we all followed Sir Garfield “Gary” Sobers playing cricket for the West Indies. Every match wasn’t just about sport — it was about pride, Caribbean identity, and an unspoken…