In my opinion, James was fired because it made business sense for Google just like how Facebook copied Snapchat stories, the memo he made would have endlessly disrupted daily Google operations and angered female engineers or managers he worked with and not much innovative in terms of technology would come out in the end. If he was more interested he should have sent a petition to the higher ups and discussed his concerns. In the end, my opinion just like Google's 20% free time for employees, it all makes business sense at a certain level.

Edit: If anyone disagrees, pls downvote with a comment, if theres just a downvote it hurts my poor internet feelings, also I will take it as meaning that there is nothing wrong with my argument, I appreciate a good argument and dialogue and not customary trolling.