@General:
I’m probably reading too much into the writers’ intent but Michael’s conflicting personality battle could be reflective of identity politics of today. There are expectations for what people of color should believe in and in some cases how to behave (and how to be perceived) and the same can apply to women. In this case you have a woman of color, who has two layers of identity to navigate through.
That seems a complicated layering, whereas the Trek social parables tend to be more simplistically obvious. In the tradition of Star Trek, I am sure the writers feel entitled, likely even a responsibility, to use the show as vehicle for contemporary social commentary. Fortunately in the past, Trek was episodic enough that such parables were usually limited to singular instances. I hope that this whole show doesn’t become one long parallel for our current social problems, given that is modern, serialized show. I find that kind of plot writing to be lazy, condescending and uninteresting.
Your idea is interesting though and not something I considered. This day in age, it wouldn’t surprise me if you are right.