Tonight, I have been researching homelessness and have discovered a tent city in Portland, Oregon, by the name of Dignity Village. While studying documentary photography of Africa, I felt the desire to research our own country and the destitute state so many have found themselves in, these past couple of years. This is how I stumbled across Dignity Village. I will be photographing the "Village" in the next couple of weeks or months, but more importantly, I will help. I refuse to be the photographer who takes photos that emotionally moves people, calling them to action; yet, do nothing myself. How can a photographer expect others to find their hearts, when he, or she, does not have the heart to act upon their own photographic message?
True understanding, not photography, is the messenger of charity. We need to understand human suffering in our own area, to prepare us for the greater suffering of Africa. We need to act with charity, bestowing upon us the knowledge, and understanding, of pure love for humanity. By doing so, we'll find dignity.
Ingrid