It doesn't sound like he is a coward. More like that between you and his relationship with his family, he chose what is more important to him. And instead of dragging it, he did the right thing and broke it up. On the other hand his parents sound racists...

I chose to be with the one over family’s wishes, on both mine and my wife’s side. Sure, we became estranged from our families, and we have to be fully self dependent and self-supportive, but my stress went way down afterwards and even though it’s trying sometimes, i’d do it again in a heartbeat. Sadly, you are right, you ex is a coward and those are red flags anyway if he won’t step up to defend you. I think you are better off on this one OP I fought for mine and got rewarded for mine effort, sadly he doesn’t see the rewards it can bring