The sports fans I hung out with (mostly white) didn’t have a problem with it. Most people want to see records set in their lifetime. (except when you are juicing to do it). I didn’t know Aaron, but I never saw any negative associated with him. Maris may have had tougher time when he passed Ruth’s 60.
When Maris was challenging Ruth’s record, virtually every old-timer was against him. Many said that he couldn’t have played in Ruth’s days. But of course they said that about all the modern players at the time.