The “squeaky wheel” issue cuts through all race/sexes. Our family is multi-cultural and our kid was placed in an incorrect math sequence for two years running - despite falling from the STEM side of the family tree. The kid’s physical size and “not presenting as a typical STEM student” may have been a small part of this - but mostly, in this case, the teacher had an extra half of a class of kids trying to do the next level up in math, and not all could (ie. some dropped down a level after the first month).
Our kid was new to the school and I didn’t know enough about math to switch things. It took some convincing (the guidance counselor was supportive, teachers less so), but the schedule’s on track now.
As a family, we didn’t let this stop us. This happens frequently in education, and due to the sheer volume of students out there, you have to advocate for yourself in a positive, factual manner (ie. your appeal was successful because the mistake was changed after you made a cogent argument about your grade).
In life, you will be shut out of things because others in a position of power want to work with people who are the same background, sexual preference, socioeconomic level, etc. I’ve experienced it at work, my spouse has, my kid has in academic matters (and we are all quite different in our biological make-ups).
There is still such a thing as a “teacher’s pet.” One language teacher my kid’s school is incredibly hot/cold and everyone just knows to keep their head down and not make too much of a fuss. It still happens in this day and age.
Appeal when you need to (great job in your case, by the way!). And keep moving forward.