Summarizing several textbook definitions, a "racist" is someone who believes that inherent differences among the various human racial groups render certain races or groups to be inferior or superior to others - usually concluding that the racist's own racial group is superior to all others. In its most extreme form, Fascism (e.g., Imperialist Japanese, the German 3d Reich), concludes that the superior race should, by right, dominate and rule the other races with which it comes into contact.
However, it is arguable whether pointing out demonstrable differences between and among different races makes one a "racist." The most extreme view (prevailing currently in America's "Progressive" community) is that, "race does not exist," and that any attempt to categorize any human or group of humans by "race" is, in itself, "racist."
The observation at the top of this thread, i.e., that the "Blackest" school districts in the country are also the least academically proficient, is a verifiable fact. But to attribute this fact to the race of the subjects is a conclusion that may itself be racist. What if the differences in academic performance are due to economic, social, or cultural forces, independent of inherent intellectual capacities? In such case, the association with race and academic performance is merely coincidence. What conclusions are reached by studies (surely there are some) in which "Black" children are adopted by, say, middle-class white families in geographic areas where the schools foster high academic achievement? Do these "Black" children perform with their neighbors or their fellow "Blacks"?
Regardless, any conclusions about the traits of any race must be understood alongside the statistical reality of the so-called, "Bell Curve." Just because "Blacks" score 10-15 points lower than "whites" on standard intelligence tests - just a made-up number - that says NOTHING about the relative intelligence of one randomly selected person of each race (assuming race exists). Further, what is the relevance to "reality" of standard intelligence tests? Is a "Black" cop with a 100 IQ (effective minimum for passing the written tests) any less capable than a "white" cop with a 120 IQ? Not necessarily.
Unfortunately, there are many communities in our society which have a vested interest in promoting the idea that "racism" (and it's cousin, "bigotry") remain a major impediment to the success of, for example, "Blacks," women, Hispanics, certain ethnic groups, people professing certain religions, people with physical handicaps, ugly people, fat people, people with body odor, and so on. If I am a member of a victim-minority, then I can't be blamed for my lack of success, and I MIGHT EVEN be able to get some Government booty due to my victim status!
Humans tend to relate better to people who are "like themselves." People of a different race or ethnicity are less likely to be "like me," and hence are more likely to generate a negative "gut" response on initial contact. Consider Pittsburgh Pirate, Andrew McCutcheon. He is intelligent, articulate, personable, handsome, and a fantastic baseball player. But because of his appearance when he came to the Pirates (long, flowing dreadlocks), many of the paying customers delayed embracing him for quite a while, despite his major contributions to the team and his manifest positive traits. Racism? You betcha. But pretty much unavoidable.
He married a beautiful white woman a couple years ago. Proposed on national television.
Just sayin'.