In Debt like Silk: An American Horror Story Credit

Photographer Brittany Powell herself got into debt, borrowing more than $ 30,000 from banks, after which she began a project collecting portraits of her compatriots who were also mired in loans.

After the artist Brittany Powell lost her job and reached the poverty line in 2008 due to the economic crisis, she decided to investigate how debts affect people's self-perception and their relationships with the outside world. As part of the Debts project, she photographed bankrupt citizens together with their property and asked everyone to put their own bankruptcy history on paper. In two years, out of the planned 99 interviews, she managed to conduct 32 — in San Francisco, New York, Portland and Oregon. Powell recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to continue the project. As the artist explained, she needs money to interview people in each of the states and achieve representativeness in creating a generalized image of an American debtor.

1. James M. Thomas, PhD student, writer. Debts in the amount of $24,500

I have been studying at graduate school intermittently since 2003. In the short periods of time free from study, I worked full-time. Despite the fact that I had small savings, they were not enough for my studies at an expensive university, they could not cover the difference between income (scholarships, etc.) and monthly expenses in expensive cities (New York, San Francisco).

2. Sherin Jelled, masseuse. Debts in the amount of $10,000

I received money from insurance payments after the death of a loved one, after which the banks raised the maximum amount of loan money that I could receive. Then I didn't work and suffered from the loss of a loved one, as a result of which I accumulated a debt of more than $20,000 due to frivolous spending.

3. Mike, architectural designer. Debts in the amount of $160,000

Master's degree in 4 years. Real estate transaction. Unemployed.

4. Bates, surfing instructor, catering worker, entrepreneur. Debts in the amount of $30,000

I worked for a startup, so they didn't pay me much, and in order to pay for my daily needs, I had to borrow on credit cards. Then the business completely withered away, the recession came, I moved and still can't find a normal job.

5. Morris Legrand, musician. Debts in the amount of $450,000

Poor mortgage conditions, job loss in 2005.

6. Bate Ross Smith, photographer, fine artist, teacher. Debts in the amount of $91,000

If you have a creative profession and at the same time you work for yourself, you need to work hard and fruitfully. Debts in the amount of $91,000 accumulated on student loans.

7. Jeremy E. Mills, unemployed. Debts in the amount of $30,000

Currently, my student loan debts are $30,000. I grew up in Boise, Idaho, where I attended college majoring in Railroad Transportation Management. I need to start paying off my debts next month, but at the moment I don't have any plan on how to do it yet.

8. Grace Ragland, family relations specialist. Debts in the amount of $75,000

The story of my debt began with going to college. I was never taught how to handle money properly, and therefore I quickly spent all my income. Full-time college education required additional loans for student loan programs. I used the rest of the money for everyday expenses — paying off a loan for a car, etc. When my ex-husband went to prison, I became the main breadwinner in the family and was unable to pay previous debts. My debt grew despite the fact that I worked 2-3 jobs, 7 days a week for 7 years. My health has been shaken, and now that the children have grown up, I work full-time at one job. I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel - thanks to my family and prayers. It affected all aspects of my life, and I regret that I did not pay enough attention to the proper handling of money.

9. Ramon Romero, entrepreneur. Debts in the amount of $250,000

I have accumulated over $250,000 in debt. It all started with credit cards, phone bills, and a laundry I bought. In nine months, my water bill was over $28,700.

10. Michelle Manis, housekeeper. Debts in the amount of $35,000

I accumulated my last debt after a large payment, when I was 23 years old. When I returned to college, I accumulated most of this debt; the rest was formed from mail order catalogs, other debts and homeless wandering.

11. Bernit Bradley, social worker. Debts in the amount of $26,000

She owed $130,000 for houses and cars. Now I still owe $26,000 on student loans that helped me survive when I was in high school. I plan to repay them in the near future.

12. Martin Olive, Executive Director of Vapor Room Cooperative. Debts in the amount of $930,500

I was tested by the US Internal Revenue Service to open a medical drug dispensary in 2004 and 2005. The Tax Service, applying the controversial provision 280E, forbade me to deduct the cost of cannabis as a standard business deduction. In the end, I had to pay full income tax, plus interest, plus fines. In addition to this tax burden, I suffered from a brain aneurysm, underwent surgery and spent 10 days in the intensive care unit: the costs of all this were not covered by my health insurance.