It would have been nice if he also addressed that issue in this message instead of a staff meeting. I mean, like, there is literally a world watching (geographically, not necessarily when it comes to population).
The current state of things shows that he didn't feel like this needs to be addressed by himself.
What are staff going to do if they don't like the answers? Quit? Strike?
But when they've taken a public position that implies they consider some employees to be less equal than others, yes.
Anything should of "I was wrong" implies he is not fit to lead a diverse organization.