If that were the case there wouldn't be "Tensions in Google's ethical AI group" would there be? Read the article, clearly the team, and many Google employees, were angered by this.

Perhaps we shouldn't just sweep it under the rug. It seems there is very real merit, this was not just a disgruntled employee. The subject matter is directly related to diversity - to remove race is to, again, cover up the systemic race issues we face as a society.