Well, I would not call in respect, cause other races are also less represented. I am white and wanted to create a black character. The choice was saddening me but I created one though.
I did it cause I think otherwise the game lacks diversity and there must always be a big black guy with a badass machine gun!
And the googles look more badass!
So I also vote for less white/caucasian characters and more of all other races!
Lastly, it is not soooo important. There are other things (rag doll, hit boxes etc.) which have a higher priority.