Is it racist to refer to someone as being of a certain "extraction?"

[Orrex]

It sounds at least vaguely racist to me, or maybe anachronistic a la "of the homosexual persuasion." I don't use the phrase, and I don't personally know anyone who does, but every time I hear it, it seems to be some Conservative or sanctimonious Libertarian jackass who's saying it.

[TZ]

1. its codespeak

I unfortunately have some racists in my family, who try to ummm hide it from me, and they use certain phrases to not seem "bad".
The best example I can give of an equivalent is when someone praises an african-american for being "articulate".

[Dr. Strange]

2. Typical claptrap...

from someone of the "pevvy" persuasion. :P

It does seem to have the sort of connotation that "ilk" does.
"I've dealt with others of that ilk before."
But I can't say I hear it all that often.

[Heidi]

3. Racism is a belief that race is the primary predeterminant of human characteristics.

So, while the term isn't blatantly racist, it gives me a clue that the person using such a term isn't trying very hard to understand the person he/she is describing. I don't use the phrase "extraction" because it's personal with me: I don't identify by race, sexual orientation or gender, and I believe those who _do_ choose these very broad terms for identifying others aren't really making much of an effort to get to know the hearts and minds of the people they're ineptly attempting to describe.

Rant off.