Stereotyping, or rather basing ones actions and opinions upon stereotypes, is a characteristic of racism. Generally, these stereotypes exist in one form or the other (by definition, for a stereotype to to exist the characteristics of that stereotype must exist), and if one is sensitive to them, one attempts to avoid making/using them.
So, when I give someone an “Indian Burn” (twisting the skin around their wrists with both hands in opposite directions) and yell “Geronimo”, it feels racist, but I don’t know why. Are Native Americans known for this type of mean prank? Is the subtext that they are too poor, too dumb, too incapable of making real weapons that they resort to this type of violence? Do Indians get defensive when someone with a rash on their arm derisively look in their direction?
