Anthony "Jericho" Greenidge, radio personality, passed away last week and left the country of Grenada in sadness and despair. I remember hearing Jericho's voice for the first time when I came to Grenada. He has a distinct voice, one made just for the radio. My first days in Grenada brought about feelings of culture shock, homesickness and excitement, but I can remember the first time I heard his voice on the radio. I was riding the bus system for the first time on my own, on my way to the first day of pre-service training. I was nervous, ecstatic and just wanted to get off on the right stop.
But then I heard Jericho, whose morning show always featured open air ways. On this particular morning the topic of conversation was dress code for tourists coming to visit the island. Unlike U.S. radio regulations, radio shows here let just about anyone call in and say just about anything. It's something I love and hate about the radio here. But this morning, Jericho was telling jokes about some of his observations of tourists, how they wear these weird looking hats, wander around town in bathing suits and always wear patterns. I felt uncomfortable on the bus as people were laughing hysterically at his jokes, realizing I was the only white person on the bus and they were talking about "my people". But in that moment of laughter, he reminded the public of something that will always stick with me:
"We are all the same people, regardless of race, gender or terrible choice in clothing."
I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to Jericho's family and friends, to his work colleagues and the general public, who all looked forward to waking up to his radio show. He was a leader of culture and will be forever missed. RIP "De Duke"
Bittersweet
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