The Human Stain book

Does “Spook” word still used as a racial word ? Actually what is the origin for using this word specifically as a racial word?

I am reading “ The Human Stain” by Philip Roth and I countered the word “ Spook” and it the keyword for the entire story so Does “Spook” word still used as a racial word ? Actually what is the origin for using this word specifically as a racial word? TIA

by Horeya_Syreni