In a 1991 film review, the New York Times quoted Lee’s take on the film at the Cannes International Film Festival:

“I’m not saying interracial relationships are impossible. Flipper and Angie are not meant to represent every interracial couple in the world. They are meant to represent two people who got together because of sexual mythology instead of love. Then they stay together because they’re pushed together. They’re outcasts. And since their relationship isn’t based on love, when things get tough, they can’t weather the storm.”

To further prove his point, another character, Paulie, Angie’s ex-boyfriend, gives in to his attraction to Orin, a regular customer at his bar, who happens to be an African-American woman after Angie tells him she’s been seeing Flipper.

A little over two decades later, the question remains.  Are we okay with “Jungle Fever”?

A 2010 study conducted by the Pew Research Center says yes. Statistics indicate in the 18-29 age bracket, the following would be fine if a family member married a person of another race: 88 percent of whites, 85 percent of African-Americans and 81 percent of Latinos compared with 75 percent of whites, 74 percent of African-Americans and 60 percent of Latinos 30-49 years old.

Despite these reports, many would agree that interracial relationships are no longer taboo, but still bring great frustration to many, especially African-American women. From beauty shop banter to personal essays, like Jill Scott’s 2010 commentary in Essence, in which she wrote hearing about a friend’s marriage to a white woman made her “wince,” we are still talking about interracial dating. And we can’t forget Kanye West’s line in his multi-platinum single, “Gold Digger,” which comically drives home the reasoning that a white woman is the black man’s symbol of success and status: But you stay right, girl/And when he get on, leave yo’ ass for a white girl.