The Captain of the plane is the end all and be all of authority for what is safe on his flight because he is 100% responsible for that plane, her crew, and her passengers once it backs away from the gate.
If a Captain has a doubt then the plane doesn’t fly.
Sensitivities and political correctness do not apply when it comes to some things.
You are quite correct. But if I were his employer I'd have to look at his decision here in light of what all the other pilots have done for this young man in deciding as to whether he has the ability to make these kind of calls for the airline and their passenger customers. As his employer I might come to the conclusion that he doesn't have the correct temperament to be a pilot for the airline. If he blew a call like this how might he react under some real pressure.