It Was the Pits
For Synonym, a magazine dedicated to telling immigrant stories through the lens of food, this editorial project dives into the labor behind convenience. Through an interview with my father and uncle, we uncover their experiences as young migrant farmworkers and cannery workers, shadowing their parents in grueling yet essential roles. This story sheds light on the often-overlooked human effort behind canned goods, amplifying BIPOC voices and preserving the rich narratives of resilience and hard work that feed our collective history.
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As told to Caroline Hwang, Edited by Lisa Butterworth, Illustrations by Florencio Zavala, Reference material made with Generative ai.