Is it racist to say that Vulcans are different than humans, that they have general qualities as a species that can be appreciated?
Is it racist for a Captain to take advantage of Captain's prerogative and use his own judgement to select his top officers? Kirk wasn't looking to fill the position for the ship's dishwasher or linecook-he was looking for his science officer.
I am sorry but that's the kind of stuff that racist people say: "Is it racist to say that black people run faster or that Asians are better at maths?"
"Well, yeah!!!"