text: That's true. I think, as a white American talking about the white American community, there's this expectation to have a healthy glow but no more or less. Too pale and you're a socially awkward shut in and too dark (regardless of how you got the tan) you're either trashy, unhealthy, or trying to look like another race. Obviously both of these are extreme and not everyone thinks this way but it does come up from time to time. Personally I think whatever you feel your best skin is (as long as you're achieving it in a healthy way) that's what you should strive for.