The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first US proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.

In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.

What is the status of working Americans today? The U.S. economy added no new jobs in August as the unemployment rate stayed steady at 9.1 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday, the most concrete sign yet that the recovery has stalled out and a double-dip recession may well be on the way.

In an article at the Congressional Black Caucus blog, Crewof42.com, a more ominous alarm has been sounded --

"These may be the worst unemployment numbers for African Americans in years... How is it that the overall unemployment numbers stay the same and black unemployment gets worse? Once again a rising tide has lifted the boat of black unemployment to record numbers. When it comes to the unemployment numbers with regard to African Americans the tide is getting high. Usually the numbers don't change from 15.9% (July) to 16.7%. That is not just a few ticks worse - that's almost a full point worse. The highest unemployment sector is black males at an amazing 18%. These are the recorded numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics."

What have we to celebrate?

Not much. Our focus needs to be placed on continuing pressure on our elected officials -- and the President -- through emails, phone calls, and a different kind of parade -- a protest parade. Reverend Al Sharpton had planned a jobs march in Washington, DC. We need a jobs march in every urban community in America. It is clear that urban communities and Black workers need special attention.

What can be done about Black unemployment?

• Tax free enterprise zones to attract business investment to urban communities.
• Training programs and funding to support the development of the work force for businesses who locate in urban communities.
• A continuation of the payroll tax holiday for those who are still working, and possibly taking on the added burden of helping family members who are unemployed.
• Public works projects to help rebuild the urban infrastructure of our country, or making urban buildings more energy efficient, and provide jobs immediately.

These are among some of the actions we are looking specifically to our president to propose in his speech on next Thursday. More than anything, we need him to lead the fight to restore an economic environment that doesn't leave out the most vulnerable. I am getting weary of our president caving in to onslaught from the Tea Party. I am falling victim to an expression from the past, the "Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations."

We need our President to fight for outcomes that meet high expectations. The scale of the problems we face -- especially the devastation of the Black Middle Class -- demands nothing less that a bold vision that we can fight for.

There is no compromise with the current Republican opposition that will be a positive outcome for the virtual Black community. We must begin to speak with the strong voice of labor that made this holiday so important to our nation.

Mr. President, go big or stay home!