Yeah, I suppose I should have clarified more. Just to put it into further context, obesity is seen in society as a negative thing, in the country in question... not like here in the US where it's becoming more accepted. People--strangers--may bluntly tell you that you're "fat", and it's just a matter of fact. So it's quite easy to immediately take offense, though none may be intended at all.

So back to the guy asking about "ax" -- was he also in the same breath implying blacks are uneducated because of it? Or insisting that all black people speak that way even after he was told they don't? If so, then the charge of racism is probably correct.