As someone mentioned, First Amendment protections don't apply to a private forum.
For what it's worth, here's my view:
I think Lax has long ago established his bona fides and, in this case, he operated in good faith, both because the substance was sensitive and because, apparently, a lot of people objected to the comment. So this isn't about him.
I do think on the substance that it was a quick trigger, mostly because Kuej clearly meant it as a compliment (I know, race is the third rail, so tread lightly) and also because I don't think Kuej is a mean-spirited guy with any record of insensitive or near-racist behavior (correct me if I am wrong about that). I would have warned him to avoid such stereotypes, even if he meant it as a compliment.
I would guess, but don't know, that some of the people who complained have an ax to grind against Kuej, because he is outspoken and has made strong, sometimes sort of crazy, and negative, statements. And so they complained against him, but wouldn't have if the same comment came from someone they liked. But that's hunch, because obviously I have no idea who complained.
Anyway, that's my opinion. The punishment wasn't egregious, and it's within the reasonable range, assuming this a clearly understood policy and fairly applied, but I probably wouldn't have done it.