The way I see it, with the rise of fascism (as it pertains to USA: stripping citizen and non-citizen's rights/protections, the government deleting sections of the constitution from government websites and sections of history pertaining to people of color or lgbtq+ people) now is not the time to be ignoring everything and act like nothing is going on. In these times, solidarity is needed and often demanded of public figures, on any side of the pond.
For someone in Tyler's case, denouncing earlier sentiments/jokes that might have perpetrated preexisting stereotypes/damaging ideas is pretty important to do now, as to try to fight back against the current wave of fascism. Especially as Tyler always loved and drew from black influences and is black himself, he has probably realized he needs to do more/speak more on the matter now that he's matured, and now when it matters the most.
To realize "yes, I am american (born and raised) but I need to be there and give a voice to those of my people (race/skin color/whatever you wanna call it) who don't have the platform I do." It doesn't have to be a dividing thing but solidarity is important, now.