No, he's just playing word games. That doesn't mean the argument is one of semantics.

If the problem is too much poverty, then the solution is to reduce poverty.

If the problem is too much racism, then the solution is to reduce racism.

The greedy rich people's corporate media pushes the racism narrative to keep the focus away from the primary problem because fixing poverty might cost them something.

All the well meaning people pushing the racism narrative are doing their work. Pawns in the game.