Yeah, as many times as I have watched this film, I never really see Travis as a racist. There were always people saying he was one, and I may have even read that that was what they were going for, but I just don't see it. He was never outwardly mean or hateful to anyone of a different race, as far as I could tell.

I know Paul Schrader wrote all of those characters as black in his script, and Scorsese changed it because he felt it to be extreme... but it goes to show that racial overtones are in the foundation of the film.

@milfhunter said:

The reason I bring this up was because it seems to be hinted at. In the original screenplay it was a lot more obvious. There are moments where we can see the wheels turning in Travis's mind. He seems to harbor no ill will towards Charlie T and has no issue with taking fares to all parts of the city. Yet in the diner scene he is staring hard at some black gentlemen drinking beer. There is also the scene in Travis's apartment where he is watching American Bandstand and points the .44 Magnum at a black dancer. Also side note in the original screenplay the pimp, mafia guy, and hotel clerk were all black.

Vietnam will make you a little racist...