Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you read that 5 times over, maybe it's worth including more of the context of the phrase: > Mr. Roth was the last of the great white males: the triumvirate of writers — Saul Bellow and John Updike were the others — who towered over American letters in the second half of the 20th century. Seems that "great white males" refers to a specific trio of writers -- all white men -- who were seen as the giants of American…
That he used the term "great white males" when he should have used "Great Male Narcissists". Would a high school newspaper even make a mistake such as this? It's either sloppy, malicious, or both.
If someone referred to a "great black male" writer would you be equally offended? Or do you object to mention of his race? His sex? These details help paint a picture. They are not mentioned to offend.