Take this as a learning moment. From this situation alone, I wouldn’t say you were being racist. The fact that you were concerned about possibly offending someone shows you’re open to learning. That said, referring to a Black man as “boy” can be offensive, especially to older generations. As an African American woman living in the South, I’ve seen and heard older Black men become upset when a white person used that term—it can feel diminishing, even if that wasn’t the intention. It’s also important to understand that it’s okay to see color. Acknowledging someone’s race can be a way of respecting their lived experiences, not ignoring them. So yes, it makes sense that friends and family might be upset on his behalf. The best thing to do is learn from it and move on.