Gonna disagree on this one.
Having the main character be a generic blank slate like The Boss from Saints Row or someone like HUNK from RE2 or Claude Speed from GTA III is something that actually lends itself well to a game like this, especially with the protagonist being customized. It lends itself well to both the RP aspects and the overall Cold War glow spook theme of the game.
Plus, I think this press release was meant as a way to "woke-proof" the game since they knew the usual suspects would be up in arms with the Yuri Bezmenov trailer.