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i don't know about other places, but here in California many AA people are nemployed because most jobs require you to speak Spanish. It seems to have progressed since 1982 when the influx of Mexican/ Central American came and REFUSED to speak English. This created a demand for employers to hire Spanish speaking employees in order to increase profits. Not to mention healthcare. It's impossible for blacks to get jobs in healthcare here because it seems no one but immigrants are receiving healthcare. I laugh when politicians talk about "job creation", all they have to do is what other countries do: Speak the language of that country or you don't receive services. Americans should not be diplaced to accomodate those who refuse to learn English. I guarantee that if we were to declare English as our national language and empployer's hiring preference was for American, English speaking citizens, we would see unemployment stats plummet very low. But alas I dream because our president is clueless and wants to gie this country to Mexico.

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Thank you for providing an update on what is going on with our Black Congressional Members even though it would have been better to receive this information prior to the week of the meeting in order to prepare to attend. It would have been a great opportunity for the CBC to hear from its constituency.

As it relates to Rep. Elijah E. Cummings’ (D-Md.), remarks, "It's our responsibility to increase their ability to do the jobs that are available to them,” whose responsibility is he referring to? How does he plan to “increase their ability to do the jobs that are available to them?” In reality, isn’t it the responsibility of job seekers to prepare for the world of work? Once prepared, however, I do think that Congress can do a lot more with the enforcement of employment and discrimination laws, as they appear not to be working (see the unemployment rate among African Americans at 16.3 percent vs. White Americans at 8.7 percent).

This article continues with reference to the objectives of the sessions, “One of the key objectives of the sessions will be to alert members of the audience of federal jobs that are now available.” Why just “alert the members of the audience of federal jobs that are now available,” when they most likely will hear the information and forget about it after the session. You need to identify ways and means of communicating with the Black Communities at large about these opportunities. Unfortunately, a large number of households do not have computers, do not read newspapers, etc., but do rely on radio and TV. Therefore, how can the CBC ensure this information gets out there?

I know there has been a lot of emphasis on “faith-based” initiatives where the church communities have been given large sums of money to support these types of initiatives. It appears that unless you are a member of a particular church receiving this money, you will most likely not be made aware of opportunities resulting from the money provided by the government for these opportunities.

Your article states, “Most ironic is that other Americans are demanding that their legislators do something about their rate of joblessness, which seems to argue that black folks should be screaming from the rooftops.” While I agree, “other Americans are demanding that their legislators do something about their rate of joblessness,” such as Latinos, including those who are not legal, we too need to continue to voice our opinions and get involved in order to demand our rights too. We have suffered so much to make it easier for “other” people to come to America and enjoy the “American Dream (e.g. education, jobs, businesses, homes, etc).” When they obtain the good education, the jobs, and are assimilated, we are put further and further behind because we do not continue to speak out and push for our rights. Yes, we should continue, “screaming from the rooftops” to our congressional representatives that we still need their help and support. However, we need to prepare for these opportunities too.

“Teaching African Americans about the availability of government jobs and resources is a critical component of our getting a piece of the economic pie of America.” This education is key to our economic survival and yes, “Most of us are not only unaware of what federal contracts are out there, we don't have a clue on how to get them.” Again, the challenge will be in getting this information to us and getting us prepared for the competition. These contracts have been and continue to be out there. Even with minority set-asides, if we are not getting the contracts, who is?

You state that, “An added component to the efforts of the CBC should probably include sessions on entrepreneurship and the creation of black businesses.” I agree totally. Others have been encouraged to come to this country because of their ability to add to the economy of the country because of their entrepreneurial and innovation abilities and given the resources by our government to do so. Unfortunately, because of the history of the African American in this country, those opportunities have not always been afforded.

Most of us would love the opportunity to lessen our dependence on
“government support.” It would also be a good thing to “create the institutions that provide jobs in the private sector.” More importantly, we need to learn how to run these businesses and that requires education and/or continuous learning, access to mentors and coaches.

I hope we will begin to focus on getting involved to ensure our voices are heard. I also think we should hold our representatives accountable for assisting in our pursuit of opportunities not afforded to us.

If we can excel in music and sports, given the opportunity, we can excel in business growth and development too; resulting in joining that “historical wealth-generating pool” just like White American and the immigrants do.

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Want to learn something?..need a role model?....
GOOGLE (Ex basketball player Will Allens Urban Farm)
I think you’ll find it nice to see SOME people doing “Really” positive things with their life.
Don’t count on government and state funds. Work hard and get back to basics.
Nobody owes us anything.
As to AIDS and any other sexually transmitted disease or virus...If you have difficulty with a lack of self control...at least “Wear a condom”
If nothing matters to you other than the shine on an escalade or the carat count of all that useless home shopping club bling...Good luck trying to eat it as the economy continues to crumble.
Why do you think the world is in this trouble in the first place.
Pull up your pants and get down to business. Once you do it becomes easier to see through others curtain of BS.

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I hope the CBC is talking about the increase of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the South and in the rural South. More monies and itnerventions need to occur in this part of the country. It's is more than time to deal with this increasingly ignored epidemic.
Pamela Payne Foster, MD, MPH, author of "Is there a balm in Black America? Perspectives on HIV/AIDS in the African American community." www.ppaynefoster.com

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The Black CAUCUS should retire the name and just say selfish whoremongers for self indulgence and greed for themselves and their families.Not once since 1990,has Black Caucus been outspoken about any issue that is occuring in their districts.The only time a Black Congressman is visible to allow you to shake their hands,when Congressman calls them to the carpet for a hearing or the ethics committee, then they run to the neighborhood to speak ill about poor me and the attacks.When has Maxine Waters call for the National guard to be placed in her district for the safety of kids to walk home from school or ownership of businesses or property?Rangel,a powerful man and get caught up in greed.President Obama has had to stand alone with the speaker of the house ,senator Reid and others but how many of the 40 Black Congressman stood and was vocal in their districts.Senator Dodd pushed reform on credit cards and the Black Caucus knows that Blacks uses the credit cards more than any ethnic group and sit silently.Why haven't the Black Caucus called Judge Mathis and supported him about second chances for inmates and help fund education,job skills,life skills,mental health and counseling on caring about themselves and being a parent and accountable in a positive manner.The only person beating the streets and flying miles is Rev.jesse Jackson trying to help people with foreclosures,jobs and telling young people to stop the violence and the senseless killing and not telling who the perpetrators are because some are legal lawmakers that will cause harm to our children.Stop Violence,stop the attorneys who don'y want people to have healthcare,why are our elder and young people hungry on weekends and why people don't have laptops for school children and it should be a law with all the high tech everychild should have a laptop and phone in their homes for education and safety issues.When,I saw the reality show and the Black Caucus had the "SALAHI's" in the VIP seating at an event for what contribution.Blacks stop voting Black unless they are contributing with major changes in the communities.

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To give insight about California is the Black congressman/woman represent Carson/South central(Watts,Inglewood Gardenia etc predominant Black areas that have more illegal Mexicans/Central Americans that has taken over the real LA and most Blacks that could sell or move are in Riverside and San Bernardino.Where Blacks could not live in the 50's or 60's its mixed with Blacks/Mexicans and you wonder why are they fighting and next door and neighbors.The Mexicans have the jobs and they are state jobs with benefits sponsored by certain churches and not Baptists or AME.The government programs are helded by Mexicans esp when it comes to Clinics,grocery stores,Edison(electric Utility)for assistance to exchange refrigerators,assistance with winter utilities etc and jobs with Caltran that keep the yellow and white lines on the streets and highways.All waste like garbage jobs are Mexicans.Many jobs are contracted with the city and government and not one Black caucus is saying hire ten Blacks.Home Depot is like you in another country.Be serious about voting for the Black Caucus members.

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Why are the Black Caucus just now trying to do something about the joblessness situation in black America? You people better open your eyes this is nothing but (I NEED YOUR VOTE)

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Yall can have the USA I'm outta here.

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