Is racial equality just a political motive for votes?

Answer 1

No. "Racial Equality" is a philosophical ideal, one which promotes the concept that all human beings, regards of genetic background, should be considered equal in the eyes of the law (and other humans).

These days, "racial equality" as a philosophy is subscribed to (i.e. believed) by the vast majority of Americans. That said, there is significant debate about the practical matters of how racial equality is to be handled, and the government's role in helping bring about the reality of the ideal. As such, particular positions on the implementation of racial equality by a politician are often (perhaps usually) an attempt to garner votes.