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Seb Peltekian
Seb Peltekian is a professional writer and editor. He enjoys hiking, music, and is interested in history. As a contributor to Armenian Weekly, he hopes to write about previously unexplored topics related to Armenia and the peoples and cultures of the region. A graduate of Wikipedia University, writing for this publication is also an excuse for him to continue his research, apply his knowledge, and share it with others.
Latest posts by Seb Peltekian (see all)
- Bedouine: On Music, Recording, War, and Armenia - September 20, 2018
- Bringing Old Stories to Life in Stop-Motion - July 3, 2018
- A Haunting Death Photo Connects a Great-Great Grandson to His Family History - April 12, 2018
Enjoyed reading Seb’s article, Similar in style to some of William Saroyan’s writing.
Hope you shall continue penning articles for the ARMENIAN WEEKLY. Write/Right on!
Thank you! I’m very happy that you enjoyed this article!
Really enjoyed this article and about the piece of rural Wisconsin life. It is the story of marginal diaspora experiences that also give insight on life in America’s periphery.
Thanks
Very well said!
What a well-written article by a talented new writer at AW! You give us a new perspective of life in places where Armenians are few and far in between.
Keep it up Seb, enjoyed reading.
Took me decades back, since I have had a similar experience working in a dairy barn too!
A nicely-written article. Looking forward to reading more…
Seems a VERY fake story. How does the author think his supposedly ignorant farmer neighbors learned about the existence of and decided to obtain modern milking equipment, to use latex gloves and disposable tissues, to recognize Staphylococcus aureus? Now I expect if I were to work at it I could write an equivalent article, just as biased and one-sided, alleging extreme stupidity for rural ROA Armenians. For example, there is that well-known story about one being given a condom by a visiting American Peace Corps worker, and a year later him asking for another since the first had finally ripped. I expect ignorance of geography, and of different Christian churches would be similarly profound. And even if Armenian education was advanced regarding such subjects, there would be assorted Armenian priests complaining such knowledge was actually propaganda by “religious sects” or attempts to undermine “traditional Armenian family values”. Yes, I could write such an article, but my good sense would make sure I never would. Where was Seb Peltekian’s good sense? Or did he just assume no non-Armenians would read his piece.
I am confused by your response. I doubt the author is claiming that all “rural” individuals are ignorant. This is his own personal experience with one family. Have you ever been to a very small town community? Ignorance about “worldly matters” flourishes there, and I think that is the point of this article. Also, there’s a differece between functioning at a basic level to do your job (utilizing basic technologies and understanding fundamental procedures to complete your job), and also being unaware of the world and your own religion (i.e they didnt even know Italians were Catholic). I think he did a good job humanizing the article and making it unbiased. This article is about identity. If youd actually read the article to the end, you’d see that he grapples with his own identity (not fitting in with non-armenians in WI and not fitting in with Armenians who have different backgrounds).
With all due respect, Steve, I think that you missed the point of the article. From my perspective it’s not a criticism of the farmers nor does it portray them in an unfair way. If you read to the end of the article you’ll see that I ended up feeling closer to Wisconsinites than to the average Armenian. Also, this is a reflection based on my very really experience.
The criticisms of the farmers in the article was not to disparage them but to highlight the fact that I had trouble connecting with both the farmers/typical Wisconsinites and also the average Armenian. It wasn’t a criticism of the farmers that they didn’t know about the Armenian Church, it’s that they were ignorant of their own religion. It was to showcase lack of curiosity on their part. But I felt that I added a sufficient disclaimer exploring why they didn’t have this curiosity.
Your point about staph infection and the utilization of basic modern-technologies to adequately complete a job that is your primary source of income is neither noteworthy nor does it have any relation to the intended point of my article.
As far as the anecdote about the Peace Corps Volunteer and the condom, that made me smile…I hadn’t heard it before. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for reading this article and taking the time to comment. I’m happy to know that non-Armenians are reading my article. I hope to read your article about your experiences farming in Armenia if you do decide to write it.
Beautiful and sentimental article, my son must have had the same feeling growing in a little town in N.Carolina where we were the only Armenian family.
Very interesting article by Seb. Like Seb I too was raised surrounded by “odars” who knew-not of our Armenian Christian heritage. Going back, prior to TV, & World War II, many of our neighbors were recently relocated villagers or mountain people who came up to Chicago to take on factory employment. They, of course being from families who had long been in America, considered themselves being true citizens while we of immigrated parents were “foreigners”. When my Grandfather would call me in for dinner using my Armenian name, Garabed”, this was a perfect reason for many to address me as “garbage”. Not an fair “tag” at an early age but as we progressed in school more & more achievements erased the kidding & a more respectful atmosphere developed. As decedents of Christian Armenians, whether Catholic of Apostolic, we zealously approach life as good citizens with a sound moral & an honorable way to live with our neighbors.
Ever been to Racine, WI Sebouh? That’s where I grew up, in an active, small Armenian community. Come this summer (the last Sunday in June) for a very traditional Madagh picnic that our church sponsors–in a public park, open to the public. BTW, I enjoyed your article.
Hello from Ireland… I’m married to an O’Donnell, a farmer’s daughter. Most of Irish have family that emigrated to the US so our attitude tends to be net positive. That said we never fail to be amazed when we visit the US at how little interest most people have in matters beyond the borders of their home states, not to mind the borders of the US. The experience of the Armenian diaspora on the other hand will cause even fourth generation Armenians to be very aware of the world outside the US. Different experiences lead to different perspectives.