#8 The assumptions about race today

In the past racism was a bigger issue than it is today. In recent society a lot of times racism is used in comical situations. Seinfeld shows a perfect example of this in the episode "The Wizard." Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is dating a white guy however she thinks he might be black. So through out the show she tries to find out all the clues she can to find out that he is African American. The clues in which she assumes he's black are his African tribal music and masks hanging on his apartment wall. When Jerry and George get involved, George is confused on why he is black because of his skin color and Jerry doesn't know if it is weird to date a black guy. Later on, Elaine and him are ordering food and the waitress happens to be black. Elaine then makes a comment about being a "sister" with the waitress. She thinks it is normal since she feels like she is in an interracial relationship it is. Then it sparks the conversation on what race they both are. He happens to think she is Hispanic because of her name, and after discussing they figure out their just another plain white couple. After, they both suggest to go to the store The Gap, meaning that is something they could both shop at being white people. In the past no one used to date outside of their skin color. This episode suggests that today it is acceptable and interesting to date outside of their race. However it still shows the little side comments and assumptions that could be made about being a certain race.