Above vs. Below

In our most recent class, we discussed who or what is being served by particular social constructs, specifically in the construction of socioeconomic status. In this construction, the "above" benefits as it exploits the "below" culture and gives said culture a sense that they are being represented. However, it is usually the "above" culture that decides what representation of the "below" culture becomes a part of the "above" culture.

In class we used rap artists as an example. Most rap artists become popular underground before the powers that be see that the artist is marketable. This construct benefits the "above" because they give the facade that when a piece of "below" culture is accepted as part of the "above" culture, the people who are a part of the "below" culture are given more privilege, power and respect.