Ehh... depends. I think racism is a complicated and important subject, I personally don't like to accuse people of it, I'd rather talk about it, openly and honestly. So Liam Neeson came out and said he wasn't racist. Based on what I have heard of him talking about the subject, his youth, his experiences within the UK, The Troubles, how distinguishes between Catholics, Protestants, Scottish, Irish etc and how views around racism in context of Nazi's and Jews... I don't he is racist no. His definition would probably parallel what some would consider overt racism, traditional racism. The conscious and ongoing attitude that some races are superior, and conscious choices and decisions that reflect those beliefs and views.
Do I think racism is more complicated than that? Yes, definitely, but I am a child of the internet, I have easy access to a ton of papers, studies, science articles that go into depth on such subjects and related subjects. The type that give more context to history and human behavior. More insight. So it wouldn't surprise me if Liam Neeson wasn't up to date on such ideas. As far as I know, he never studies such subjects in any depth, its not uncommon for people his age, to have such nuanced views, to such an extent. He lived a life that probably made him somewhat wise to regular types of racism, in practical terms. Which can be different from the more analytical types to do with subtle human behavior and motivations. Unconscious biases etc Think implicit or aversive racism.
So I do think he may have held and still might hold some implicit or aversive racial biases, (a lot of people do) that could constitute calling him a racist, so I understand those that do. I'd be hesitant to though, because of above context. He seems ashamed of his past attitude and that feeling he had, and he affirms this is how some people do think, and its a problem, and how flawed it is, and I'd really prefer if people, considered that. I think there are a lot more people out there with implicit and aversive racist attitudes and unconscious biases, who feel personally attacked when they are accused of being racist, because they think of it differently, and more akin to traditional racism. I can sympathize with that, especially if they try their best to be decent and good people. At the same time, actual people have been, and will be killed by similar reasoning in "heated and passionate" moments. Liam Neeson emphasized, he was super fortunate he never actually committed to his mental and emotional state with an act of violence and murder... thats not always the case though, and when that element is undermined, dismissed or otherwise diminished, by excuses and apologetics... its also easy to understand why people get pissed off.
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