To the Editor:
This past weekend I proudly stood before the window on Main Street looking at my smiling reflection as I peered inside to see the beloved WBCR-lp 97.7 FM sound board on display. Berkshire Community Radio dreamed to be live, broadcasting from Main Street. Now that dream is becoming a reality. I lost count of how many times my fingers tenderly touched the sound board and gently raised and lowered the LIVE ON-AIR key. The airway was alive for me and over 75 other broadcasters. For over 14 years I have had the fortunate honor to be the voice of Radio 2 Women, “Giving women voice and men shortcuts.” Countless guests have graced the studio telling their stories of making a difference in their communities. I was able to be on the radio with no experience, free from outside bias and able to give voice to women and men who were never invited to share their important stories on mainstream media. That’s one of the gifts of community radio, variety of voice.
Thinking back to when my daughter was in middle school, we co-hosted a series of morning shows. Once a month we would teach each other to appreciate our generational music genres; she would play her favorite songs and I would introduce some of mine. When my daughter turned 14, she and her friend took to the airwaves to host their own show about surviving high school.
I was asked several times this past weekend “what is community radio”? Our official answer is Berkshire Community Radio Alliance (BCRA) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. We are a volunteer-based, non-commercial, community broadcast station in the town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. We make broadcast air-time available to the general public and offer resources and education to all members of the community for the production and dissemination of community media. Today, we currently have more than 60 applications for programs from community members
You may ask, why do we need community radio? In a time when the diversity of voice is being challenged, human rights are being violated, our media outlets are being controlled, and bias, opinion and “tweets” are heard as truth, I challenge this community to preserve our community radio. At WBCR-lp, all voices are heard and everyone has the chance to speak. In fact, if we can successfully move our station to Main Street, then anyone can walk into the studio and be on the air.
If you haven’t yet supported WBCR-lp Kickstarter, then now is your chance to support and contribute to a cherished and much needed community service. We only have 8 days left to successfully move our station to Main Street. Please consider becoming a part of history and let your voice be heard.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wbcr-lp/reboot-wbcr-lp-977fm
Serene Mastrianni
Great Barrington
