i think the curtness of his statement makes it easy to interpret as racist. however, it's possible to interpret his statements in a more neutral way. he isn't

i think the curtness of his statement makes it easy to interpret as racist. however, it's possible to interpret his statements in a more neutral way. he isn't making any claims as to the origins of the achievement gap. e.g., it would be racist to claim that certain racial groups achieve lower because they're inherently lazy and stupid and destined to fail. but it would not be racist to claim that the causes of the achievement gaps have little to do with individuals but rather are caused by sociological and historical factors