Why is race and nationality ignored so much in the lore? (why does the lore fail)

[Kilta_Firelotus]

I l0oved reading the books in elder scrolls. My fav moment in Morrowwind was reading the serioys the "real" start of bahrozain (sp) then in tribunal actually meeting the npc. that was my fav moment. I was like HOLY thats the dark elf i read about. AWESOME!!!