Racism or Xenophobia?

I'm not really sure what I should be writing, since this is for my English class, but I figure this does have to do with a class discussion we had. I don't want to mention names, or attack anyone, this is merely my opinion.

The other day in class, we were discussing a piece of writing from, "Class and the politics of writing" from Remembered Rapture. It was a well-written piece from an African American woman, where she stated, one way or another, that the reason why publishers refused to publish her work was because of her race, gender and the controversy of her writing.  However, another student claimed she was "playing the race card" and that maybe "her writing wasn't all that good". 

 A debate sprung in class, this work was published fairly recently, and it came to a shock to some students that racism still existed today. After much debate, our professor told us to bring back articles proving whether or not racism still exists in 2014.

There were many articles discussed proving that racism, in fact, still does exist. However, a student claimed it wasn't racism, it was xenophobia, an intense fear of people from other countries. Apparently, the reason why people who were white had priority over people of color in a hospital, even though their injuries were more severe, was because of this phobia.

 I honestly do not want to attack any student. I just wish I spoke up in class. Sadly, participation isn't something I'm comfortable with, and I get REALLY shy at times.( I know I need to work on this, sometimes I don't get nervous though)

I feel that at least in a hospital or any kind of medical environment, where people are in pain, one way or another, xenophobia would be the LAST thing a medical practitioner would/should have. 

I believe when someone is in pain, or needs help, a natural human response is to help, no matter what their background is; being "afraid" of someone who's impaired is ridiculous. There's a clear difference between being afraid of someone and hating someone because of where they are from. Saying stereotypical comments, and hurtful judgements about someone's background does not display fear, it shows your intolerance, nonacceptance and hate.