Obviously not every policy based on race is racist, but affirmative action does advance a particular set of races. Call it whatever you want, but I think what the above poster has said is that to advance one race is to handicap another.
In any case, according to this research, Obama's first term didn't improve racist attitudes in America.
Prejudice has risen since 2008 Obama victory:
https://bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2012/10/27/poll-majority...
Remember, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
Ideally I'd just like to see a society where race is hardly ever even talked about. It should be as significant as hair color (as another commenter mentioned). We won't get to that point if decisions are made based on race. As soon as you do that, then others will do it. And race will never cease to be a discriminating factor in human relations.