By Imara Jones

Barack Obama (Photo credit: jamesomalley)

Today in his home state of Illinois, President Obama returned to the topic that is Americans’ number one priority but where he’s struggled to make progress: the economy. With Black and Latino joblessness in double-digits and wealth for these communities at the lowest level ever, the President’s renewed attention to the nations’s economic health is welcome news for people of color.

In the Knox College address Obama laid out the challenges facing working families, echoing many of the same themes he put forth during the campaign. The talk centered on “four cornerstones for a strong middle class” namely infrastructure, education including college affordability, home ownership, and retirement savings. Specific details on each of these is available at the White House official website.

But Obama’s challenge is not in framing what’s at stake for the American people. This is something he has long excelled at and has two election victories to prove it. Rather it’s in dealing with a recalcitrant Congress which believes that their obstinacy will bend him to their will at every turn. When it comes to the economy the Republicans continue to have their way.

Read More Our Economy Needs More Action, Fewer Words From Obama – COLORLINES.