In her memoir "Hunger," Roxane Gay expresses a powerful desire to be seen beyond her past trauma. She conveys a deep yearning not to be defined solely by the violence she has endured, emphasizing that she possesses an inner strength that transcends her pain. Gay asserts that her identity should not be reduced to a single moment of assault, advocating for a more nuanced perception of her resilience and complexity.

Gay's words reflect the struggle many individuals face in reclaiming their narratives. She aims to challenge others’ perceptions by insisting that her experiences do not define her entire being. Her insistence on being recognized for her strength rather than her vulnerabilities serves as both a personal declaration and a universal message about the importance of seeing survivors as whole individuals, not just victims of their circumstances.