EthnicMajority

(Washington Post) President Barack Obama acknowledged on Wednesday that black Americans have faced “enormous challenges” with unemployment under his watch, and appealed for their support in pursuing solutions that he can implement without help from Congress.

Appearing at a daylong White House summit of black business, community and political leaders, Obama said the current 15.1 percent unemployment rate among blacks is “way too high,” and that various other problems that plagued black communities before he took office, such as housing and education, have worsened.

“We know tough times,” the president said. “And what we also know, though, is that if we are persistent, if we are unified, and we remain hopeful, then we’ll get through these tough times and better days lie ahead.”

Full story…

(Washington Post) President Barack Obama acknowledged on Wednesday that black Americans have faced “enormous challenges” with unemployment under his watch, and appealed for their support in pursuing solutions that he can implement without help from Congress.

Appearing at a daylong White House summit of black business, community and political leaders, Obama said the current 15.1 percent unemployment rate among blacks is “way too high,” and that various other problems that plagued black communities before he took office, such as housing and education, have worsened.

“We know tough times,” the president said. “And what we also know, though, is that if we are persistent, if we are unified, and we remain hopeful, then we’ll get through these tough times and better days lie ahead.”

Full story…

(Washington Post) President Barack Obama acknowledged on Wednesday that black Americans have faced “enormous challenges” with unemployment under his watch, and appealed for their support in pursuing solutions that he can implement without help from Congress.

Appearing at a daylong White House summit of black business, community and political leaders, Obama said the current 15.1 percent unemployment rate among blacks is “way too high,” and that various other problems that plagued black communities before he took office, such as housing and education, have worsened.

“We know tough times,” the president said. “And what we also know, though, is that if we are persistent, if we are unified, and we remain hopeful, then we’ll get through these tough times and better days lie ahead.”

Full story…

(Boston Globe) Herman Cain's rise as a presidential contender was supposed to prove that race didn't matter in the Republican Party. Cain is fast making it the only thing that does.

The black conservative is trying to navigate around allegations that he sexually harassed at least three women, implying that the accusations surfaced because he is black. Hours after the claims were reported, Cain's supporters branded his trouble a "high-tech lynching." That's the term coined 20 years ago by another black conservative, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, after his confirmation hearings for the court were rocked by allegations of sexual harassment.

(Hispanic Business) President Obama on Wednesday praised the contributions of Hispanics to the United States and made another pitch for his stalled American Jobs Act.

Obama spoke to a crowd gathered at the U.S. Interior Department in Washington at an American Latino heritage forum organized by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, one of the top Hispanics in government.

"Diversity has always been America's strength," the president said. "We are richer because of the men and women and children who've come to our shores and joined our union. …

"And nowhere is that more true than with the Latino community. Right now, there are 54 million Americans of Latino descent — one-sixth of our population. Our neighbors, our co-workers, our family, our friends. You've helped us build our cities, grow our economy, defend our country. And today, for the first time in history, there is a Latina in my Cabinet and a Latina (Justice Sonia Sotomayor) on the bench of the highest court in the land. (U.S. Labor Secretary) Hilda Solis is doing an outstanding job."

Full story…

(Washington Post) As he seeks to rekindle support among Hispanic voters, President Obama pushed back Wednesday against criticism over his administration’s deportation policies for illegal immigrants.

Obama was asked several tough questions about his administration’s performance during a roundtable forum with Latino reporters sponsored by HuffPost LatinoVoices and AOL Latino.

Eventually, the president grew frustrated when Gabriel Lerner, an editor at Huffington Post, asked a question that had been submitted by an AOL user from New York City who wondered about the slow progress on the DREAM Act.

That proposal, which as not passed Congress, would provide conditional permanent residency to illegal immigrant students who graduate from U.S. schools and fulfill other requirements.

Full story…

(Politico) It was a speech intended to be a rousing call to arms for his 2012 re-election campaign and his jobs bill.

But when President Barack Obama told a gala dinner of the Congressional Black Caucus over the weekend that it was time to “stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying” and get to work, he instead gave new ammunition to some prominent African American critics who say the nation’s first black president gets tough only when he’s talking to other black people.

Three of the most prominent of them – Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Princeton professor Cornel West and talk show host Tavis Smiley – all criticized the speech, with Smiley setting the tone with his question: “How does he get away with saying this to black folk?”

Full story…

(Examiner.com) Acknowledging the hard-hit African American community and budding criticisms in its ranks, President Barack Obama said in a speech to the Congressional Black Caucus that he wouldn't give up and urged members of the African American community to join him to jump-start the still sluggish economy.

He continues to say; "I expect all of you to march with me, and press on. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, and stop crying. We are going to press on. We've got work to do."

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate amongst African-Americans continues to be 16.7%, almost doubled that of the national average.  Also, approximately 40% of African-Americans children live in poverty. These facts have made fiscal reforms a priority for members of the Black Caucus, some of whom are mostly Democrats and have criticized the President for not doing enough.

Full story…

(McClatchy) Senate Republicans balked the last time President Barack Obama nominated an Asian American from California to a prominent bench seat, which some conservatives considered a stepping stone to the Supreme Court.

Now, with the nomination of Los Angeles-based U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Hong-Ngoc Nguyen to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, Obama and GOP lawmakers will get another chance to either fight or reconcile over a potentially historic appointment.

"I look forward to a speedy confirmation by the Senate," Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein said.

In the current political climate, this might be wistful thinking.

Obama's prior choice for the 9th Circuit, then-law professor Goodwin Liu, saw his nomination languish under a GOP wet blanket for some 15 months before he withdrew last May. Ninety-two federal judiciary vacancies remain, including 17 on appellate courts.

Full story…

(Politico) President Barack Obama will meet with members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus at the White House on Friday, his first sit-down with the group since taking office, White House and Congressional aides say.

The meeting comes amid some frustration by caucus members who felt that the White House neglected them in recent months. Before the lawmakers met in July with senior administration officials, the 30-member caucus had not had a formal session at the White House.