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The way media portrays each class either in advertisements, entertainments, and news

media has a significant effect on how we view the individuals and how we understand their
identities. Whilst sometimes, it is the opposite of reality. What is happening is very different on
what media represents.

To be particular with, I choose to observe on how media showcase those who belong to
the upper class. Some of the words and phrases used to describe them are well-dressed, well-
educated, well-spoken, living a luxurious life, successful, rich, powerful and influential. In some
movies and films, portrays this social group in a nostalgic way and over represented. The elite
were viewed as authoritative, dominant, honorable and respectable. The media frames the
upper class positively with images of individuals who are generous and caring.

When talking about advertisements, especially in the delta sky priority upper-class virgin
atlantic. The upper-class enjoy some certain privileges that only them could experience, for
they can spend large sums of money for those special accommodations compared to those with
an average standard of living. Aside from that, they are also using person marketing in which an
influential person, such as those who belong to upper class to capture the attention of the
viewer that will lead to a higher sales.
On the other hand, on how media uses its power particularly on newspaper views
politicians as most influential people. Just like how Philippine Daily Inquirer describes our
current president. Digong Duterte, the Adolf Hitler of the Philippines, who sometimes use his
power to have control over the social, political, public and economic issues. Though his goal is
positive, accepted by the society to diminished, stop and control the impact of drugs in the
society, his means is not always acceptable to the society, the extra judicial killing.
Another thing is their representations in magazines. The top level executives believe
that money talks, money could describe how one lives, how much possession and ownership
one has. Though, the line is clich, reality it is, that those who are rich and wealthy has the
control over some things in the world. Money can rule the world for business minded people.
High rising billboards everywhere, vast number were on Manila, most of the endorsers
are the famous celebrities, love teams and boy bands or groups. It is because of their influential
power that drives the people to purchase or try that certain product.
Upper class includes the top 1% richest people; those people whose income ranges from
millions to billions and beyond. Most of them hold an obvious stake in production industry,
such as the owners and CEOs of the major companies and corporations. Others hold a high
degree of social power and influences because of their occupations, such as celebrities and
Hollywood stars. Some are enjoying their powers and privileges because of successions, being
in the upper class since birth, or being the successor of wealthy family member or relatives.
This social group also encompasses those people who are enjoying their political powers, the
politicians.
Some prominent and high-rung professionals may also be included if they attain great
influence and wealth. The main distinguishing feature of this class is their source of income;
those in the upper class derive their income primarily from investments and capital gain, they
are financially independent. Some may be not employed by choice. They don't apply for jobs -
they get easily recruited. They are more likely to be well-connected and familiar with "the
system," understanding how to help friends and family in difficult situations. Also here is the
prominent so-called thing that the wealth of the family should only circulate to their heirs,
family members and relatives, nothing more, nothing less.

Most of the upper-class owns corporations, well-known companies, high rising


condominiums, luxury cars, land, real estate and any other thing that a person wanted to have
in her/his stay in earth. They are enjoying some premiums, privileges that not all may have, etc.
Travelling outside the country is just a normal thing to them. Most of them go to private
schools and international schools. Their family belongs to members only clubs and gyms. They
live in a gated community.
Some are over rewarded because of their positions and achievements, other are over
rewarded because of their talents and looks. Example of the latter are the celebrities, their
portrayal in the media invites us, the audience to admire their achievements.
The upper class representations enable us to realize that in order to cope up with life;
we need to be more competent, more powerful, wealthy and more successful because we
already know that there exists inequalities, in treatments and how other sees you based on
which social class where you belong. When you belong to the upper class, you have an edge
over everything, may it be work and life opportunities.

But it doesnt end there, influence, profile, money, wealth, political power and privilege
can control the world, can control the opportunities that lies behind the future, can control
those people under their class. Imagine, when talking about the politics, those who rule during
our history, look at their family and relatives, those similar people are having the position in our
current government. In order words, they could rob the rights of other people to experience
growth and prosperity. Distinctions in class shed light on the opportunities individuals are
afforded or denied.

Media could make assumptions to people based on their understanding, on how much
income are these people earns, where and what is their occupations, and where do they live.
By interpreting or understanding that person, media can make some assumptions and
judgments using those symbols that represent a person's class. It can be based on their looks,
attitudes and status symbols. But we should be familiarized ourselves that looks can be
deceiving. They also play an important role in the way we understand class in our history, our
social institutions, and our everyday lives.

The media representation is powerful, it is not only limited on changing the ways on
how we perceived the world around us, but consequently on how we think and behave. Media
is making us believe that what someones class status means, and what it says about their
character. Our ideas about reality reflect the reality that the media portrayed.

If we begin to become observant, even in the smallest thing, we can probably


understand how representations create meanings, perpetuate ideologies and reinforce
stereotypes. We should take in to consideration that media can also make us blind.

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