What a thought-provoking, and sad, piece. It really is the daily, unremitting nature of racism that one is reminded in a hundred different ways that not only are you considered "less than," but you're also, somehow a contaminant--violating "white" public spaces and violating what I would call "skin sanctity" by being within touching distance.

It is ridiculous that anyone should have to shield their children against racism, especially in a world where more and more whites want to pretend it doesn't exist and never did. The people who most need to read this never will, or they'll ask the question that you did, looking for a different answer. "Was it racism?" Damn right it was.