Unveiling the Unseen: A Homeschooling Mom's Journey Documenting Portland's Turmoil

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In the midst of Portland's recent tumult, one homeschooling mom has taken it upon herself to reveal the city's underbelly. Tara Faul, once disinterested in politics, found herself compelled to pick up her camera and document the decline she witnessed firsthand.

A native of Oregon, Faul moved to Portland in 2018, initially enamored by its vibrancy and diversity. However, the events of 2020 marked a turning point. The city became a hotbed of unrest following George Floyd's murder, with riots erupting and lasting over 100 consecutive nights. Despite the violence and chaos, Faul observed a disconnect between the reality on the ground and the portrayal in mainstream media and social platforms.

"In my moderate social circle, acknowledging the severity of the protests was often met with hesitation or even accusations of racism," Faul recalls. "It felt like a form of gaslighting, where the truth was being obscured."

As Faul navigated the city streets, she encountered scenes of decay and disorder. Trash heaps, vandalism, and open-air drug use became commonplace, painting a stark contrast to the Portland she once cherished. Documenting these realities became her mission, and she adopted the moniker "Garbage Ghost" to infuse an artistic perspective into her observations.

Her photographs depict not only the physical debris but also the societal unraveling that accompanies it. From encounters with individuals struggling with addiction to the eerie ambiance of abandoned encampments, Faul's lens captures the multifaceted nature of Portland's crisis.

Yet, amidst the despair, Faul finds glimmers of hope. She cites the 2022 election as a sign of potential change, as well as statistics indicating a decline in certain crime rates. However, she remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging that the road to recovery will be long and arduous.

Despite her love for Portland, Faul's future in the city remains uncertain. High housing costs and her husband's job tie them to the area for now, but Faul admits to daydreaming about a different future elsewhere.

"I used to boast about Portland's greatness," Faul reflects wistfully. "Now, it's a bittersweet feeling, knowing what it once was and what it has become."

As Faul continues her documentation of Portland's turmoil, her work serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of bearing witness to the unseen realities that shape our communities. Through her lens, she invites us to confront uncomfortable truths and join in the collective effort to rebuild and restore what has been lost.