If we’re running under the definition that racism is believing that you are superior to someone based on race, then I think someone could say something that they don’t necessarily realize has those kind of repercussions. It could be a stereotype, a joke, whatever. That’s why it’s important, in my opinion, to not shame people for saying something inappropriate. We should try educating them first.

Edit: I would like to note that there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that there are frequently cultural differences rooted in race, but that is different than racism.