Cambodian Radio Program Keeps Khmer Community Informed

Sidney Liang is the host and sole producer of "Voice of Cambodian Children" Khmer-language radio show, based in Lowell, Mass. (Photos by Eduardo A. de Oliveira, EthnicNewz.org)

At the very end of a long corridor that resembles a fallout shelter, the studio for "Voice of Cambodian Children" radio program is hidden.

Every Sunday for five hours, the Khmer-language radio program broadcasts from WMUL (91.5 FM), based at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

The community talk show mixes public announcements with music, reminding Cambodians of their culture left behind overseas.

For those who were in Cambodia in the 1970s, they stil remember the Communist regime of Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge entourage.

Under the feared and controlling Pol Pot regime, ordinary citizens wouldn't dare run their own radio program.

Perhaps still trapped in this fear, some Cambodians are afraid that something bad could happen to Sidney Liang, the program's host, sole producer and phone receptionist for the past nine years.

"People stop me on the streets to ask: 'Aren't you afraid of the consequences of [running a radio program] once you move back to Cambodia?'" said Liang.

"My response? I say no. I want to prove to my two kids that in the U.S. [it] is possible to say anything you want without having to fear the government," he said.

The five-hour-long radio show is split among a handful of Cambodian hosts. Almost every minute of it is unscripted; the only rule is to broadcast a free public service for the Cambodian community.

A Day in the Radio-Show Life

On a recent Sunday, radio host Sonith Peoy, a program director at Lowell Community Health Center, talked about HIV prevention, nutrition and diabetes.

Another host, Seang Sak, who is a teacher, conducted a half-hour literacy class for kids and youth.

Vesna Nuon, an unexpected walk-in guest, announced two public meetings that were coming up for local Cambodians: one with the American Civil Liberties Union, and a community meeting with U.S. Congresswoman Nicky Tsongas, who represents Lowell.

"I like the show's informality. I set no appointment with Sidney to say I was coming. But, for sure, the direct contact with the community is powerful," said Nuon.

Botum Sokhieng, another guest and a local contractor for the Department of Justice, approached the microphone with more community announcements.

Sokhieng sought to make contact with listeners who were plaintiffs in a 2004 class-action discrimination lawsuit against Pine Properties Inc. and six affiliated entities, who had refused to rent apartments to Cambodians.

In January 2008, the Massachusetts District Court established a settlement fund to compensate the plaintiffs, whose rights under the Fair Housing Act were violated.

As a result of the lawsuit, Pine Properties officials were ordered to pay up to $114,000 to compensate the plaintiffs, plus a $44,000 civil penalty to the U.S. government.

In addition, the court ordered Pine Properties to follow non-discriminatory tenancy procedures, undergo fair housing training, and file reports with the government.

"People should know they can call the Department of Justice. Khmer interpreters will be available. They should know they have rights," said Sokhieng.

Liang interrupts the programming to broadcast a recorded show from Cambodia about Buddhism which, along with Catholicism, was banned in the country under the Khmer Rouge.

Then, Liang picks up the phone to answer a call from someone in San Jose, Calif. The caller - who is listening to the show through its online broadcast at cambodianvoices.org - is pleased to hear banjo songs from his beloved Cambodia.

Cambodian Migration to Lowell, Mass.

Local officials estimate that 25,000 Cambodians live in Lowell, a number that Sokhieng agrees with.

For Liang, the number is more like 40,000. Both are sizable figures, considering that the Census 2000's tally for Lowell's total population is 105,000.

But everybody agrees that the U.S.'s largest Cambodian community is located in the Long Beach area, in California, which houses 50,000 Cambodians.

The first refugees from Cambodia came to the U.S. from 1975 to 1979, as well as following the 1978 invasion and occupation of Cambodia by Vietnam.

In the 1980s, Cambodians settled in Lowell and worked in computer manufacturing plants.

In the early 2000s, Cambodians represented one of 52 nationalities in the Lowell Public School system.

Today, Cambodians account for 33 percent of the city's student body.

More than 4,000 students are in grades nine through 12, and about 1,400 of them are Cambodian.

The Show Must Go On

"The community sees me as a public servant, not as a professional," said Liang, who has a master's degree in public administration from Suffolk University.

"Several years ago, I toured the local Cambodian restaurants to request food donations to feed the show hosts, and got nothing," said Liang, who still receives no food contributions for his volunteers.

Even though it's the only local radio show catered to Cambodians in Lowell, "Voice of Cambodian Children" has no commercials.

And it has no budget to buy CDs. Whatever songs are played come from Liang's personal collection of CDs, which he purchases at his own expense for the show.

"Nobody else will do it [produce and host the show], and the community relies on it," he said.

Liang also feels more civic participation is needed from Cambodians.

He estimates that at least 40 percent of all Cambodians in America are U.S. citizens, but that only a small group votes in local elections - because of a misguided fear that voting somehow would be going "against" the government.

Still, his on-air comments are not insulting or inflammatory.

"Even my mom says: 'Don't say anything bad on the radio.' But I am not afraid. If I convince one or two people they should talk freely, I am satisfied," Liang concluded.

source: EthnicNewz.org

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Vesna Nuon, a guest on a Khmer-language radio show in Lowell, Mass., announced two upcoming meetings for local Cambodians: one with the American Civil Liberties Union, the other with U.S. Congresswoman Nicky Tsongas. (Photo: E. A. de Oliveira)