That is a really good way to put it. CentCom is forcing the crew to run a race to stop rascism. The idea itself is not very thought through and more of a PR thing than an actual solution.
Some will like it, some will not. It's allright. It's always going to be that way on a server with 100+ people. However you feel about it, there will be some different interactions created due to the new situation the crew needs to deal with.
Some potential ideas for those who think it's stupid:
Complain to the IAA about the stupidity and uselessness of this excercise.
Write up a sign and protest the event.
Become morbidly obese, get a sick note from a doctor proving you don't have to participate.
Throw bananapeels all over the racetrack.
On a completely different note, I find it very interesting that the events get a few comments like, "this event wouldn't work because (something bad) would happen in the game."
Having events set up for bad stuff to happen is intentional. An event is just a starting position. There is no "right" way for an event to go. Whatever happens, happens. If the race is an awkward mess (which it most likely will be) then that's what happened. The point is to provide a different starting position for everyone to give more and new opportunities to roleplay. There is no "wrong way" to play in an event (as long as you adhere to the server rules of course), in the same way there is no wrong way to play in a normal game of SS13 (again, as long as you stay within the rules). If the nukies get the nuke and blow the station, then that's what happened. That doesn't mean the round was played "wrong". There will be another round in a few minutes where another story will take place.