Tan or White?!

Tan or white? This is a question some women ask themselves everyday. Women in the United States, who are white, want to be tan. Women in other countries around the world who are tan, or dark skinned want to be white. So here our world revolves around women not liking themselves. I do understand that as women, we like to be as beautiful as we can, putting make up on everyday and wearing nice clothes. But I never got the idea of tanning to look more tan. At the same time, since I was not born in the United States, and I am not white, I can't judge. I was born in Peru, so my skin is naturally tan. When I was younger, I didn't realize how "different" I was. I remember guys always asking, why are you so tan? And my explanation was that I was out in the sun all the time. It never occurred that being born in another country made my skin that way it was. As I grew older I learned how great my skin was. I love being tan.. and maybe part of that reason is because all of my friends strive to be as tan as I am. During the summer, the competition for all my "white" friends is to see who can get as tan as me. Being more tan is a big deal here, and I take for granted how great being tan is. Personally, I don't think much about my skin color, as you might have guessed from telling the story about when I was younger, not even realizing why my skin color was different. So when my friends all tell me, " I wish I was more tan", I hesitate because I don't know what to say. I tell them that they have great skin, but then they tell me how jealous they are of my skin. This came up in a conversation we had last week about people not feeling right in their own bodies. So here I am combining the need to be tan, and people not feeling comfortable in their own skin...that didn't mean to be a pun. On the other hand there are people who are darker skinned that strive to be white just like people from the United States. There is white cream that people can buy to make their skin whiter. This is because those people think white gets you more things, which is true in this society, but at the same time I feel bad that people have to resort to this. One student had said when she was in India, she saw this poor woman selling balloons, and once that woman got some money, instead of buying food, she bought whitening cream. This just shows how important it is to be white in the other countries. So my question to everyone, is why is it so hard for us to not like ourselves? I know there are some people who do love their skin, but a majority don't, and I feel that this should be changed. We don't want to all be the same person because what is the fun in that? We need to different, because that makes up who we are as a person. Now then there is also the aspect that white skinned people have more privileges, which makes my question hard, because all the darker skinned people want is to be more noticed, and live better. So my question also can't be answered. I personally love my skin, and don't want to change it. But my appreciation for my skin came over time, and I think if others learn to love themselves, that is a huge step towards a better future.