I guess you didn't read the accompanying NYT's article about a mixed race couple who had a similar experience. The wife, who is black, removed all of the black identifying artwork and pictures and replaced them with her husband's white family photos. The subsequent appraisal came back over 40% higher. Btw, the couple's bank agreed with them that the first appraisal was too low and I'm betting they didn't live in a black neighborhood like the woman in Indy.
Companies that value homes for sale or refinancing are bound by law not to discriminate. Black homeowners say it happens anyway.
www.nytimes.com
We know it's illegal to discriminate when appraising a home, but if there is a low risk of getting caught, then it's being done.