What is the definition of racism to you?

If I was to take a photograph of a Caucasian person wearing, for example, a beautiful gown from India, dancing in a traditional Indian manner, would this be racist?

If I was to take a photograph of a black African man dressed as a typical English gentleman hailing a london cab, would hits be racist?

Like.... MGMT (not a band im particularly a fan of but heres an example) are dressed in the sort of thing you'd expect to see on Indigenous forest dwelling people from more exotic reaches such as Africa, India, South America etc... but is this racist?

I'd also like to know if by saying 'forest dwelling' am I being racist?

Its just.... I've received a bit of feedback from a few people on here that by taking a photograph of a few of us wearing a cheap plastic copy of Native American head wear that a housemate of mine bought to wear at a Cowboys and Indians party saying that this is highly inappropriate and racist? Then i've received reblog after reblog reiterating that I am a racist... this is highly untrue in my opinion of course, im mixed race myself for f*cks sake. Also.. if I were racist.... surely I would be spitting on the head wear and throwing it on the ground or burning it, not putting it on my head?

So I'd like to know what your definition of racism is please.

intent is irrelevant. it doesn't matter if you wore a warbonnet because you "love" and "respect" Native Americans. It doesn't matter if you were spitting on it or loving it. Both do damage. Wearing a stereotyped costume reduces an entire race into something subhuman. If we are a costume that means we are somewhat less than human. We are not a costume, a joke, or an opportunity for you to feel more "spiritual" or "ethereal". the world doesn't revolve around you.