Good morning! The weatherman says today we will see a mixture of sunshine along with a few clouds and highs in the upper 80s.

Here’s what’s brewing in the news:

Obama responds to black critics, talks unemployment

President Barack Obama has come under fire from black lawmakers, activists, and constituents for not doing enough to specifically address black unemployment, which stands at 15.9 percent. In a recent interview on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Obama delivered a message to his critics. 

The President wanted to remind African Americans that the nation's first black president is fighting for them, as he is fighting for all Americans, but change will not happen overnight.

He used the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an example.

“It’s always important to remember that when Dr. King gave the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, that was a march for jobs and justice, not just justice,” Obama said. “And the last part of his life, when he went down to Memphis, that was all about sanitation workers saying, ‘I am a man,’ and then looking for economic justice and dealing with poverty.”

Obama also talked about two important symbols that he sees every day – the Norman Rockwell painting of Ruby Bridges, the black child who integrated a New Orleans elementary school, newly installed in the White House, and a framed original program from King’s March on Washington.

“They’re reminders as we go through the day and we’re working hard here to make sure that we’re putting people back to work and getting the economy going again that we stand on the shoulders of a lot of people who made a lot of sacrifices,” Obama said. “And it’s important for us to make sure that we’re following through on those commitments even if it’s slow and frustrating sometimes.”

With a 90 percent approval rating, the African American community remains Obama’s staunchest support base, but there is concern about whether his reelection campaign will mobilize the mass turnout of black voters that he needs to win.

QUESTION: Do you think President Obama is likely to win reelection?
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Janet opposes tribute

Janet Jackson put to rest any hopes that she would be performing in the October tribute to  Michael Jackson. Unlike brothers Randy and Jermaine, Janet did not criticize the tribute’s promoters or other family members who are participating in the production. "Because of the trial, the timing of this tribute to our brother would be too difficult for me," she said in a statement sent to CNN by her representative Tuesday. She was referring to the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been charged with Michael’s death. The "Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert" is set for a 75,000-seat arena in Cardiff, Wales, on Oct. 8. Beyonce is the biggest name on the concert bill, but the audience will not see her perform live. They will view a videotape of her singing one of Michael’s songs. Ne-Yo, Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis, Smokey Robinson, and Cee Lo Green are among the show’s headliners. (Read more) 
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Church hits big with winning lottery ticket

An anonymous benefactor placed a $80,000 winning Georgia lottery into a the offering plate at the Cathedral of Prayer Inc., a church in Columbus, GA. Gloria Rodgers, chief financial officer for the church claimed the prize on Aug. 26 at the Georgia Lottery’s District Office in Columbus. The church plans to use part of the money to fix an air conditioning unit. Three weeks before the ticket was placed in the collection plate, thieves had stripped the copper off the unit. (Read more)

*** What’s brewing on your mind? Speak out in the comment section below.

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