Ancient Egyptians are largely the same as modern Egyptians who look different to “other Arabs”

You can absolutely be unintentionally racist, all we can do is do our best at recognising and dismantling it. Orientalism does involve intrigue of an "exotic" culture. I don't think you're stupid. If you want to learn about orientalism and analyse your own thought process, this is something you'll have to do on your own, because only you truly know your own thought process, if you're really interested you can have a read at Edward William Said's Orientalism. I really am sorry (not being snarky) if this sounds preachy but this is the best way I thought I could express my thoughts without spending too much time on an internet comment.