Is there an in universe explanation for racial segregation within the Star Wars universe?

Same issue exists in The Acolyte.

Racism is definitely alive and well a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

🙄

In real life, most people stick to others that look like them when it comes to breeding, regardless of whatever propaganda is pushing otherwise. Most parents want their kids to look like them, and there's nothing wrong with that. This is reflected in the fiction they write, and even if other galaxies do have intelligent life, it wouldn't be surprise if they do the same thing.

That's racist Tokenism.

It's where the writers of a story use a minority, typically a black person/character, to make themselves look good.

If you were behind the scenes someone said we need a "black" and an "Asian" for these scenes. Then, the casting director went out and found a "Black" and an "Asian" to stand there.

Generally speaking, casting is difficult. You need real actors for the movie and a lot of money is going into making the production so the actors have to give good performances.

So, if you get the idea that you MUST have an Asian kid in your movie you had better be sure the kid can act. Meanwhile, where will you find a really good Asian kid actor? If you can't find one there's probably a lot of white kids to choose from.

You better choose well because millions of dollars are on the line, so it's smarter to go with white actors.

The recent Star Wars movies had Finn played by a not very good looking black actor who had a stiff and confused quality. Marvel Comics also has a variety of shows with minorities and women that people hated because they didn't have good actors playing the characters.

When you cast based on race/sex and not talent, you get crap.

On an amusing note, the 1970s had many all black action movies. Sounds good, but the actors weren't very good and so the films are more comical that adventurous.