In the beginning sections of the book, they give general top level advice how to thoughtfully present the materials in the book, especially since many real world cultures are represented, albeit in fantasy dressings.
The advice is somewhat pandering and annoying to read, but I think it is because it is not aimed at me.
I think it is aimed at two audiences - one the overly concerned people (I guess overly woke would be the shorthand) who are so worried about offense that they need some handholding to encourage them that they can play a non-white character even if they are white (or a black character even if they are Asian, etc.).
I think that the other audience it is aimed at is younger and less mature players. Consider this advice from the book:
“Online and Streamed Games. Just as you don’t have to breathe fire in real life to play a dragonborn in D&D, you don’t need to be from the cultures that inspired the adventures in this book to play characters from them. However, take care to portray characters as three-dimensional people with relatable desires and fears.
One person’s culture isn’t another’s costume. If you dress up, simple outfits are best. Avoid leaning into stereotypes or clothing with real-world religious significance. Instead, focus on “everyday wear” from the cultures you’re exploring. Don’t change your skin color, alter your features, or emulate hair styles you wouldn’t normally have to appear like a different real-world ethnicity. Similarly, avoid mocking real-world accents in your roleplay.”
Now that looks pretty pandering and dumb when aimed at an adult. But think about the 12 year old running a game and streaming to her 5 friends but which could be picked up by anyone. In that context, the advice seems perfectly appropriate. Many of the outrage people seem to forget the 10 year olds and 12 year olds that are playing and do not have the real world experience to understand.
WoTC and the authors are just trying to help them to not make fools of themselves online.
Once I remember that all advice is not aimed at me, mid-50’s DM that has been playing for over 40 years and who has twice lived in foreign countries where I was a visible minority, I can see the point of it …