Definitions

Something is racist if it includes or promotes - however unintentionally - racism.



It is perfectly valid to use an otherwise non-racist something to illustrate a trend that is racist.



Calling something racist does not necessarily imply malicious intent on the part of the person responsible for that racist something. Ignorance and negligence is often all that is needed to keep racism going.



That said, defending such behavior and assuming that accusations of racism always imply intent really makes me wonder about the person doing the defending and assuming.