We Belong-Magnetic North

[00:01.56]We're still here [00:03.20]And we're going strong [00:06.18]We're getting tired of proving we belong [00:11.43]We're still here [00:13.39]And we're going strong [00:16.19]We're getting tired of proving we belong [00:20.58]We're still here [00:22.63]And we're going strong [00:25.51]We're getting tired of proving we belong [00:30.70]A letter to her kids was the last thing she wrote [00:32.59]At a place in the Bronx where she lost all hope [00:35.02]She tried and tried to survive and provide [00:37.19]But conditions she faced were too much to take [00:39.79]Left her 4 children in the Philippines [00:41.90]To nanny in the states and send'em back dreams [00:44.21]Cuz that's the way it works in poor countries [00:46.42]Where there is no work and you have to leave [00:48.93]For little pay long hours no job benefits [00:51.38]Fired if you tell or just the hell of it [00:53.60]Abuse is what they call it and so is slavery [00:56.08]To be a migrant worker is to display bravery [00:58.42]I imagine the sacrifice it brings me to tears [01:00.71]To not see your children for so many years [01:02.94]Felt it belonged in our land of liberty [01:05.26]But something went wrong when they took her dignity [01:07.29](We're still here, we're going strong) Here even when the smoke is cleared [01:09.90]Strong even when the hope is gone [01:12.15]We're getting tired of proving we belong [01:15.22]But we keep holdin' on [01:16.49](We're still here, we're going strong) Here even after all these years [01:19.30]Strong even when it all went wrong [01:21.70]We're getting tired of proving we belong [01:24.48]But we keep holdin' on [01:26.06]We've come a long way since Long Duk Dong [01:28.52]Ridiculed for generations while the mock us and taunt [01:30.84]With their chings chongs Rosie O'Donnell [01:33.12]But that joke's more dumb than George dub and your mom [01:35.44]What oh you wondering where I'm from [01:37.81]Is it confusing this colored skin is of an American [01:40.12]Isn't this the land of opportunity rights and equals [01:42.45]Where Hollywood likes to give Asian roles to white people [01:44.87]But still we'll find a way to get on the tube [01:47.27]Props to Yul Kwon and American Dance Crews [01:49.52]Cuz that's what I call reality TV [01:51.65]Smack in your face raw like Pacquiao handles beef [01:54.16]See, if you can't recognize then widen your eyelids [01:56.56]Instead of pulling'em back Miley Cyrus [01:58.71]These blind kids be keeping alive stereotypes like a virus [02:01.01]But whatever ridiculous ignorant shit that you give us you'll still find us here [02:03.43](We're still here, we're going strong) Here even when the smoke is cleared [02:06.03]Strong even when the hope is gone [02:07.92]We're getting tired of proving we belong [02:11.09]But we keep holdin' on [02:12.73](We're still here, we're going strong) Here even after all these years [02:15.23]Strong even when it all went wrong [02:17.47]We're getting tired of proving we belong [02:20.40]But we keep holdin' on [02:22.32] [02:40.52]We're still here though they choose not to see us [02:43.19]We ain't Ivy Leaguers and Tila Tequila's only [02:46.36]We're that lonely testimony cuz stories never told this [02:48.94]You hold us up like trophies [02:50.19]Trophies like model minorities [02:52.44]But what about all the refugees of war [02:54.76]I speak for my Southeast Asian brethren [02:57.22]Peace to my fam who grew up in Camp Pendleton [02:59.52]Like a pendulum it's back and it's forth [03:01.64]Half of us is upper class half of us is poor [03:04.10]Half of us is doctors studying health care [03:06.38]The other half is babies having babies for welfare [03:08.80]And as a sign of our grief [03:10.98]When we miss home we die on our sleep [03:13.39]So don't question why I'm inspired to speak [03:15.47]Cuz against all odds and despite your beliefs [03:17.79](We're still here, we're going strong) Here even when the smoke is cleared [03:20.51]Strong even when the hope is gone [03:22.59]We're getting tired of proving we belong [03:25.65]But we keep holdin' on [03:27.08](We're still here, we're going strong) Here even after all these years [03:29.82]Strong even when it all went wrong [03:31.94]We're getting tired of proving we belong [03:34.93]But we keep holdin' on [03:36.63]