We Belong

We're still here

And we're going strong

We're getting tired of proving we belong

We're still here

And we're going strong

We're getting tired of proving we belong

We're still here

And we're going strong

We're getting tired of proving we belong

A letter to her kids was the last thing she wrote

At a place in the Bronx where she lost all hope

She tried and tried to survive and provide

But conditions she faced were too much to take

Left her 4 children in the Philippines

To nanny in the states and send'em back dreams

Cuz that's the way it works in poor countries

Where there is no work and you have to leave

For little pay long hours no job benefits

Fired if you tell or just the hell of it

Abuse is what they call it and so is slavery

To be a migrant worker is to display bravery

I imagine the sacrifice it brings me to tears

To not see your children for so many years

Felt it belonged in our land of liberty

But something went wrong when they took her dignity

(We're still here, we're going strong) Here even when the smoke is cleared

Strong even when the hope is gone

We're getting tired of proving we belong

But we keep holdin' on

(We're still here, we're going strong) Here even after all these years

Strong even when it all went wrong

We're getting tired of proving we belong

But we keep holdin' on

We've come a long way since Long Duk Dong

Ridiculed for generations while the mock us and taunt

With their chings chongs Rosie O'Donnell

But that joke's more dumb than George dub and your mom

What oh you wondering where I'm from

Is it confusing this colored skin is of an American

Isn't this the land of opportunity rights and equals

Where Hollywood likes to give Asian roles to white people

But still we'll find a way to get on the tube

Props to Yul Kwon and American Dance Crews

Cuz that's what I call reality TV

Smack in your face raw like Pacquiao handles beef

See, if you can't recognize then widen your eyelids

Instead of pulling'em back Miley Cyrus

These blind kids be keeping alive stereotypes like a virus

But whatever ridiculous ignorant shit that you give us you'll still find us here

(We're still here, we're going strong) Here even when the smoke is cleared

Strong even when the hope is gone

We're getting tired of proving we belong

But we keep holdin' on

(We're still here, we're going strong) Here even after all these years

Strong even when it all went wrong

We're getting tired of proving we belong

But we keep holdin' on

We're still here though they choose not to see us

We ain't Ivy Leaguers and Tila Tequila's only

We're that lonely testimony cuz stories never told this

You hold us up like trophies

Trophies like model minorities

But what about all the refugees of war

I speak for my Southeast Asian brethren

Peace to my fam who grew up in Camp Pendleton

Like a pendulum it's back and it's forth

Half of us is upper class half of us is poor

Half of us is doctors studying health care

The other half is babies having babies for welfare

And as a sign of our grief

When we miss home we die on our sleep

So don't question why I'm inspired to speak

Cuz against all odds and despite your beliefs

(We're still here, we're going strong) Here even when the smoke is cleared

Strong even when the hope is gone

We're getting tired of proving we belong

But we keep holdin' on

(We're still here, we're going strong) Here even after all these years

Strong even when it all went wrong

We're getting tired of proving we belong

But we keep holdin' on