so a-train is obviously bringing up race stuff in ways that make him look pretty racist... but, i don't think he is. i think he's too self-centered to be racist. the same way that homelander is racist against humans, a-train is just... he'll do whatever he can to anyone to get what he wants. it turns out he's black, so he can use that to get some notoriety. it's not about race, despite his claims about blue hawk focusing too much on black neighborhoods. he just sees that if he defends black neighborhoods, his numbers from that crowd will go up. homelander is racist, a-train is just a pure narcissist.
and i think his "redemption" was somewhat genuine... being put in his place by ashley, and then confronted by hughie was perfect timing for him to have a genuine "i've been an asshole and now i know what it's like to be on the receiving end of it so i'm truly sorry for what hurt i caused you" but hughie's response just solidified for a-train that being vulnerable and apologizing doesn't work. it puts you in an uncomfortable position and people still hate you for it. (possibly some #metoo apologizing thoughttrain in there). so what COULD have been a redemption arc for a-train just turned into a pretty realistic response... minus the actual murder part...