I used to teach photography to blind and visually impaired students. One student made photographs of the cracked sidewalks at her school and sent them to the superintendent as “proof” of the damage.

I used to teach photography to blind and visually impaired students. One student made photographs of the cracked sidewalks at her school and sent them to the superintendent as “proof” of the damage. She included a letter asking for them to be fixed. “Since you are sighted,” she wrote, “you may not notice these cracks. They are a big problem since my walking cane gets stuck.”

I want to notice all the cracks in my world – the prejudice I still have about cultures I don’t understand, the arrogance that I know anything with certainty, and the privilege I have by virtue of my skin color, gender, and education. Sometimes the cracks seems small and easy to overlook – saying people’s names incorrectly, not giving thanks before a meal, forgetting my mom’s birthday (she’d say that was a big crack), and being too judgmental of others. Sometimes the cracks are obvious – if I pay attention.

My calling in life is to use my skills as a media artist, entrepreneur, and leader to help everyone notice the cracks, because there are many.