The relationship between the low class and upper high class is predominantly portrayed through the lyrics.

1. Class is portrayed in “Taking Names” By Ruby Ibarra both in visual representation and through her lyrics. The video starts with one of the male artist locked up in a place that looks like a cell which portrays the lack of freedom for the Filipinos an ethnic community. Her lyrics is filled with symbolism for the low class in the country/world today. For instance, “We stay surviving” and “They keep invading” in verse 1.
2. The American dream us shown by the way in which other people are living it but exploiting others. Therefore I can say that the American dream is not portrayed in the right manner. In her lyrics, Ruby is in a foreign country where her family is struggling to get by but every time they try they are back to square one. The American Dream remains far fetched in this song and it shows how hard it is to achieve it.
3. The relationship between the low class and upper high class is predominantly portrayed through the lyrics. Ruby sings, “They keep invading’ where we lay, there’s no debating’ that we pay” and “We came up in places exploited by trade”. This portrays how the proletariats have always been exploited through hard labor while the bourgeoisie enjoys all the results just as Marx’s theory explains.
4. The song is a capitalist production because the song is marketed to certain people, therefore, bringing in more money to the artist. Further Ruby definitely paid the production of her song which she hopes that will bring her money to break even and enjoy more profits.
5. The song is a system of commodity because in itself it is a commodity people are willing to consume by watching the video. The song will be marketed and sold in the form of an album or a single posted online like in YouTube.
6. The song is pretty clear that people at the top normally exploit those at the bottom since the slavery era. This is no different economically. It shows that in order to get by one must make some money “Politicians, police, and capital greed, pare, ang dami”. The economic world is about hierarchy and everyone wants to have as much money through means like corruption and exploitation by the politicians and police to the helpless. Capital greed is the order of the day.
7. The most important determinant of success is two things; white skin and money. White skin is a prerequisite of having a lot of money because you are going to be recognized and opportunities will follow you. Ruby talks about “Silenced to speak with an accented tongue” and “So we bleaching our skin…white now” which is people are doing to attain success. Whites have exploited all other races; denied employment and land because they are second class citizens.
8. My habitus aligns with hard work and being optimistic about tomorrow. I think that my habitus aligns with that of Ruby which she shares through her song. Even though she narrates how the upper class whites have exploited other races, she tells us to stay strong and not to give up. I agree with her, whatever skin color, race or position we have the only way is up and never down. Let us keep fighting and no, we are not second class citizens, only first.

Post #2 Brittany

1. A completely different class is portrayed here in this culture and history rich song by Ruby Ibarra. This song describes a working class that has been exploited and taken from.
2. The American dream here is not really present in my opinion. Maybe I am wrong here, but from my understanding she is describing growing up in barrios and slums, and having roots in the Philippines which was exploited originally by Spaniards and trade. While her sense of self, culture, and determination remain strong she is a person who is existing in a system that continues to oppress and discriminate. This is not representative of the American dream.
3. This is a perfect example of Marx's two party system. In simple, the Philippines and Filipino people are being used as the proletariat. The land and people are used and exploited.
4. This song shows capitalist production by explaining how the years back the Philippines were exploited by trade and how now there is also a cultural exploitation, at least by way of things like tattooing
5. The system of commodities in relation to this song is no better demonstrated than by when he raps about how people are running around getting Filipino tribal tattoos. People want to celebrate and dress up like the real thing, but don't give back to where it came from. They are clueless to know that the people who created this style tattooing are not some ancient wiped out people. The Aetas are natives in their own country who are deprived of basic land ownership rights. The system of commodities is the exploitation of the Aetas people and the culture. Stealing a history and style of tattooing to make money off it.
6. This song provides a symbol system by educating the listener to where Filipino influence, art, culture and history come from. It provides the listener with context and therefore changes and shapes a new way to think about the influence the Philippines has had on us and us on it.
7. In the song the cultural capital is being white and the advantage it gives. The success factor is being able to assimilate and 'pretend' like they were taught. White skin and no accent are two things that gives you an advantage in our system today.
8. Having roots here in the Bay Area I see how strong of a Filipino culture there is, especially in places like Daly City. Growing up, because of my moms part time work, we always had people from different countries living with us. Similar to how Ruby Ibarra is, the people who lived with us from other countries always were so proud of their country and its history. It feels like the US doesn't have that. A lot of our past is riddled with abuse of force and power, and a history of taking and exploiting for our own benefit. Often times people are ignorant to our past and just don't know truly where we came from and how we got here. Ruby knows exactly where she came from and has a strong sense of pride. She also seems to feel a personal responsibility to keep Filipino culture alive and strong. Because as a whole we lack that same feeling here in the US it stood out to me the most.

Sample Solution