by Madison Starr

Created on: April 05, 2008

I wish I could tell you that I feel one-hundred percent fabulous in my skin color. I wish I could say that my skin color has not influenced my lifestyle or the way people view me. I wish I could say that the color of my skin is never an issue. It is easy to wish for many things. It is much harder to accept reality.

The simple fact is that despite some setbacks, I've always felt relatively comfortable in my skin. It is, after all, only a shell. The color of your skin does not truly dictate who you are. Your attitude and actions do that for you. I have never prescribed to the theory that you have to act a certain way due to the color of your skin.

I don't rely on my skin color to determine what kind of music I listen to or who I choose to be friends with. I don't set any limitations for myself based on my skin color. No one should. The only limitations I face in this lifetime are the ones I create in my own mind.

I know many people who will judge others based on skin color or ethnicity. To certain people, skin color is everything. We, as people, have a tendency to classify each other and ourselves into groups. We also tend to remain in those groups and many people fear crossing the boundaries. Others do not have those same fears and will walk freely outside of the realm of prejudice.

I'll be honest and admit that whenever the subject of skin color is brought up, I immediately associate it with some form of discrimination and prejudice. I wish I could say that racism is non-existent in society and merely a thing of the past. Unfortunately, I cannot. Racism is not merely a ghost that haunts our ancestry. It is a cancerous pandemic, corrupting the hearts of many and hindering our progress as evolving human beings.

I've known people of all colors, sizes, and ethnicities. All of them have been a victim, to one degree or another, of racism. Why do we continue to count skin color as a positive or negative trait? Are people of one skin color responsible for the majority of crime in society? Does skin color determine leadership qualities or intelligence? I've heard some people say yes to those questions. I say no.

My skin color is both a blessing and a curse to me. Most of the time, I love my skin. People have told me that every hair color suits me with my skin tone. I've been grateful for that because I love to change my look from time to time.

My skin color is not without disadvantages, though. I can't enjoy the sun for too long like the rest of my family and friends. After fifteen minutes, I begin to burn even with the aid of sunscreen. A tan seems well beyond my reach these days. Last summer, I spent a day at the beach in a t-shirt and capris. After four hours, my calves and ankles were so burnt, they were covered in blisters. I spent the next three days in my house with swollen legs and a painful reminder of what happens when I don't use 45 SPF sunscreen.

Therefore, I have a love-hate relationship with my skin. I'm envious of my friends and family because most of them have olive skin tones and never have my worries when having fun in the sun. I probably do not appreciate my freckles as much as I should, but I'm trying. At the end of the day, I accept my "fair" skin tone and go on with my every day life. I don't let it get in the way of having fun. I make the most of what I've been given. Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?

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