How important do you think Othello's race is to the play?

Othello is considered one of English literature's first black heroes. He is a military general, who has risen to a position of power and influence. He is also a black-skinned foreigner; an outsider, and someone who is resented for his quick rise in the ranks and his race. Desdemona's father cannot believe she'd marry a black man; he believes she's been manipulated and tricked. Desdemona's interracial marraige is a source of concern and disapproved of by many.