Misanthropy is often the result of perpetual fear and self-loathing. When people think of racism they recall hate crimes and cruelty and prejudice. When thinking of misanthropy they probably imagine tragic losers like me, lamenting their existence and cursing their affluent, middle class life on the internet. So, people don't like misanthropes, but know that they're generally harmless. Also, misanthropes don't organise because it requires associating with other people. Finally, if asked what's bothering their bowels, most misanthropes will cite the cruelty, selfishness and willful ignorance of the vast majority of mankind. Racists, on the other hand, are driven by an unjustified superiority complex. I think, deep down, a misanthrope would choose to minimise harm, because it's that disgusting side of human nature that they hate. Racists, however, wish to cause harm.