Ignorance in and of itself isn’t an excuse for racism, IMO, since many people remain willfully ignorant and resist attempts at education (simple fact is you get by with having more faults and vices if you’re ignorant than if you exert an obvious intelligence). OTOH, I do agree that there are degrees of racism rather than one distinct, singular ideological point where one goes from being an open minded, accepting individual to a raging bigot. Most people that are termed racists fit the description that you describe: they may “talk smack” about other races but don’t go to any physical or actual links to persecute members of those races. However, they collectively help to provide an environment where the more extreme examples can prosper and find understanding. Of course, I don’t know your friend, so he/she may be a moral crusader or they may just be looking for an excuse to pull the superiority card. Either way, the argument stands.
Jeremy Ulrey