insecurity

Youth is intoxicating, But I stay sober

My whole world revolved around these 30 people in my elementary school class; none deemed me worthy of a crush. I became an introvert, engaging in the less rambunctious games during recess and not talking much outside of class.

I’m always going to have insecurities. I’m always going to have off-days. I’m always going to question my belonging. But these are just thoughts. I don’t have to accept these thoughts as my reality.

I hated most of all that, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t do anything. No matter how much I wanted to be, I couldn’t be enough.

I’m not hoping that my admission will be counteracted with validation, but simply that we can mutually acknowledge the existence of our insecurity; to admit that loving ourselves is hard and abstract compared to the reality of not feeling good enough.

Those of us who are bicultural have beautiful compound identities, and only upon embracing this reality may our identities truly be wed.

Food insecurity brings with it social stigma, and treating clients with dignity should be at the core of every food pantry’s mission.

For me, looks and body image play a primary role in sex, and wanting to seem more attractive, I’ve always concealed or corrected parts of my appearance.

As a food-insecure student who struggles to balance the stress of a job on top of classes, UC Berkeley sophomore Jenifer Lomeli-Quintero called the food stamps she is given through CalFresh a “lifesaver.”