I agree that the way the elves are portrayed is it’s biggest weakness. The black elf is as stupid as making a movie about African tribes and making some characters white.
The elves are a race, not a nation. And it is even mentioned that it is almost unheard of for them to date outside their race.
Humans, absolutely could be any race. Maybe... dwarves and even hobbit-type creatures, but not elves set apart.
Not just black as in dark complected, black as in Negroid. There's a difference. Negroid Hobbits, too. Ranks right up there with Negroid Vulcans in Star Trek.