Why are the concepts of race and ethnicity important to United States Society?

Question

The concepts of race and ethnicity are important to U.S. society for two main reasons.

First, the U.S. enslaved African-Americans for over 200 years. Their descendants still suffer the effects of that brutal system. In addition, African-Americans didn't gain full legal civil rights until the 1960s -- and are sometimes still the victims of prejudice.

The U.S. has always looked unfavorably on new immigrants. Today it's the Mexicans, but in previous times, Chinese, Jews, Germans, Italians, and others were denigrated by the majority society.

The sources I gave in response to your other question might be helpful in dealing with this one too.

I hope they ehlp. Thanks for asking.