Names. Most names have been changed to protect confidentiality and privacy.
Transcription. In the tradition of celebrating artistry in communication, it is important to portray the cadence and timing of verbal expression in dialogue and storytelling. I use a different format for active dialogue or narrative that was shared with me in oral form, most of which was recorded in research studies. The line breaks suggest a pause, long breath, or difference in cadence. Ellipses “…” signify a brief utterance that has been removed or replaced for clarity.
Terminology. Food insecurity is an official term utilized by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and many researchers. The formal definition is “lack of access to enough food for an active and healthy life due to economic circumstances.” I use the term food insecurity when I talk about specific research. Hunger has many definitions. Some people say the term hunger only signifies the “painful sensation in the stomach” due to lack of food because a person does not have enough money for food. I take a much broader view of hunger. Most of the time I use hunger as my shorthand to indicate the injustice of not having enough money for food to the point where it deeply impacts one’s ability to flourish. Throughout these pages, you will see that hunger is broader than people think, and its solutions go way beyond food. Lastly, a brief note on demographic terminology: where I discuss statistics from research that uses different terminology than my general preference, such as “Hispanic” rather than “Latinx,” or “LGBT” rather than “LGBTQIA+,” I follow the publication’s usage for accuracy in reporting results.
Caution. This book covers what lurks underneath hunger. What is underneath is unfair, unjust, and deeply disturbing. Ahead there are descriptions of rape, sexual assault, family violence, enslavement, colonialism, racism, misogyny, white supremacy, systemic oppression, and indifference to human suffering. Please take good care of yourself while reading. Ways of navigating this book are reading in brief doses, skipping pages, reading with a human or animal friend nearby, or occasionally looking out the window or at the horizon to remember how much joy and beauty there is in the world. It may also be helpful to read this book with a group of people, such as in a book club or classroom, so several people can support you and you can support them. As you will learn ahead, belonging to a group of your choice promotes healing and solidarity. I lend you encouragement and care. Take it slow.