In an ongoing effort to remind everyone that everything is racist all the time forever, the NY Times printed a piece about racist white women on the sidewalk who are so afraid of a black man that they don’t step aside and let him walk, forcing him (racistly) to the sidewalk..

“In seven years of living and walking here, I’ve found that most people walk courteously — but that white women, at least when I’m in their path, do not,” Howard writes.

“Sometimes they’re buried in their phones. Other times, they’re in pairs and groups, and in conversation. But often, they’re looking ahead, through me, if not quite at me,” he continues.

“When white women are in my path, they almost always continue straight, forcing me to one side without changing their course. This happens several times a day; and a couple of times a week, white women force me off the sidewalk completely. In these instances, when I’m standing in the street or in the dirt as a white woman strides past, broad-shouldered and blissful, I turn furious,” Howard said.

“After these encounters, I’m always left with questions. Why only and specifically white women? Do they refuse to acknowledge me because they’ve been taught that they should fear black men, and that any acknowledgment of black men can invite danger? Do they refuse to acknowledge me because to alter their route would be to show their fear? Do they not see me? Can they not see me?” he asks later in the essay.

This reminded one listener of an old Monty Python sketch, watch as little old ladies force people right off the sidewalk!

Is this racism, or is it just…walking?