Halle Berry did go on for too long, both about race and in general, but an acknowledgement of thanks to those who came before isn't out of place, whether among Blacks or Hispanics or WASPs or Coppolas or Australians or Americans. Ultimately our identity comes from being individuals, but a sense of heritage or background is still a part of who we are. There's more dignity in leaving the question of ethnicity aside and letting others say what they will about it, but talking about it is perfectly understandable.
If Halle were going to go on for so long she probably should have added to her remarks a gesture to the larger community, but "racism" is not an accurate reflection of what happened. In the case of Halle and Denzel, what they said -- and he showed great dignity in keeping race out of his remarks -- is more a milestone on the way to assimilation than a sign of increasing or enduring separatism.