The question of whether or not a comment or indeed anything else is racist does not turn on whether the source intended it/or not to be racist, rather it depends on whether the subject finds it offensive and whether or not the offence is seen to be based on the subjects ethnicity. Sometimes the whole area is a bit grey.
One thing is certain though, in all cases the ultimate arbiter of what is or is not racist is never the individual who started the controversy.
On a slightly different note: As a regular visitor Frank, great board - thanks for the effort you put in.
O'R