Melody Seraydarian sat down with us this week to discuss her experience as a first generation American, a writer, and a fellow genocide prevention activist. Currently, Melody writes articles every week for her very own column titled “Hye Key” centered on Diasporan Armenian issues, culture, and lifestyle through the Gen-Z lens for the publication, Armenian Weekly.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Ever since Melody can remember, she has been going to demonstrations surrounding Armenian issues. She said, “Even when I was in a stroller, my mom would take me to protests, but I was never really educated on what had happened…But as I grew older, I began to educate myself more on the war crimes, the responses from the international community, and I really started to hone my knowledge regarding that.”

Melody reflected, “Even though the Armenian genocide happened over 100 years ago and even though I am generationally detached and I wasn't physically there, you can kind of still feel their pain…it’s like intergenerational genocide trauma.” Melody has sought to reconcile her experience of survivor’s guilt through her writing, where she feels like she is helping to educate and connect with others who may or may not be familiar with Armenian history and news.

Melody recognizes that most genocides don't get covered in the press or at the very least, don't get covered enough. She commented, “…It's really, it's so bad, especially the Rwandan genocide….I couldn't believe that it's not being taught in schools in full. It's wild.”

Melody shares the belief that “it's just so important to have conversation with people in and out of your respective community because just telling these stories is just the best way of honoring our ancestors and the people that have come for us.” We hope you get to hear more of Melody’s story by listening to the podcast linked here.