Roxane Gay's reflections in her book "Hunger" reveal a deep, personal struggle with shame that has been a significant part of her life. She acknowledges that, for a long time, she has kept her feelings of shame hidden, believing it would be better to keep them private. However, she is now questioning this silence and its effectiveness in relieving her burden.

Gay suggests that the act of remaining silent about shame can be counterproductive and painful. She expresses a desire to break free from this shame, hinting that it might not even fully belong to her, but rather be something imposed upon her. This longing for liberation highlights her struggle with societal expectations and personal demons.