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Organizer of South Cape march hoping for 1,000 participantsSunday, November 15, 2009The Rev. Byron Bonner admits that hundreds of people marching through the streets won't eliminate crime and violence on the south side of Cape Girardeau. But that's not the point of the next month's "Taking it Back II" march. "The march says to the kids in the community, 'We love you,'" said Bonner, pastor of True Vine Ministries. Bonner is again hoping for at least 1,000 people will take to the streets Dec. 5 to express their love and concern for the community's youths. "Love is an ingredient that a lot of these kids aren't familiar with due to their environment," Bonner said. "Their hearts have been robbed." Last year's march drew more than 100 marchers, well short of the goal. Bonner said he is optimistic that some of the work the church is doing in the community will result in more support for the march. "When you're doing something positive in the community, word will get out," Bonner said. "We feel it in our spirit that more people are going to get involved." Growth of the True Vine congregation has resulted in a move to a new location at the corner of Bloomfield and Park streets, where this year's march will end. The route of the march hasn't been finalized, but Bonner said that a free chili supper and clothing giveaway will conclude the day's activities. Bonner and evangelist Darryl Reddin of the church hope to call attention to what they feel is a big problem in the south side community -- a lack of a place for youths to go for recreation. "There's nothing to do there. ... The nearest gym is the Osage Centre," Reddin said. "So a lot of the kids have nowhere to go. That's why they hang out on the street corners and sell dope." Participating in last year's inaugural "Taking it Back" march were representatives of city government, schools and a number of Cape Girardeau churches. Bonner is hoping other churches will have delegations in this year's event. Various church representatives were scheduled to meet Saturday at True Vine to discuss the march. Bonner said there will be more meetings of south-side community church representatives to discuss the problems of the area. "We're planning and praying to get a team of pastors together to tell each other what they see," he said. Bonner said one church can't solve South Cape's problems. "True Vine can't do it by themselves. Greater Dimension can't do it by themselves. Second Baptist can't do it by themselves. But if we all pull together in love and unity, we can make a difference," he said. Comments  Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please Login or Create an account first, and then you will be able to flag a comment as objectionable. Please also note that those who post comments on semissourian.com may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
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I think this is a wonderful community effort, and I would like to see the COMMUNITY as a whole get involved! You people complain when the youth act out, but where are you when it's time to promote some positive change? Get out there with these churches, and give back to your community to make it a great place for all!
I had the opportunity to drive around south of Bloomfield Road along Missouri, Benton, and Cousin Street. This was around 4:00 in the afternoon and people were scattered everywhere like it was a block party going on. I had my window down and two youths were on the front porch yelling at me saying that I was lost and need to go back home. I can't say everything they said but when I looked at them they both stared back and gave me the finger. I do not see myself ever giving anything to filth like that. It is not a stereotype its the way it is.
NoDisclosure, then get off your butt and do something about it like these organizers are trying to do. If you have a better idea, then do with it. Otherwise, our community gets exactly what you got when you drove by. If you weren't taught better, then you wouldn't know how to act either. Clearly, as the article stated, the organizers are trying to show these youth that they are cared about, and unless these youth learn that they too are part of the community we live in, they will not give a rip about trying to live to a higher standard.
The statement by Reddin is incorrect about the closest gymn. The Salvation Army at Good Hope and South Sprigg has a nice gymn!
my_thoughts
It appears to me that NODISCLOSURE was just making a statement about driving around and OTHERS were yelling at him and giving him the finger. He in no way mentioned saying anything to these fine pillars of the community that warranted this type of trash talking he received from these fine men on their porch.
"There's nothing to do there. ... The nearest gym is the Osage Centre," Reddin said. "So a lot of the kids have nowhere to go. That's why they hang out on the street corners and sell dope."
If this was the real reason then here is an idea. Why not the fathers, uh I mean moms that are raising these kids get together and buy some gym equipment from walmart or some other place and put it at the church. If that does not work why not car pool these angels to the osage center so they have a place to work out their frustrations and respect the property that they are using.
I myself had looked at purchasing 6 rental properties a couple of years ago down in the south end of Cape (wife please make a note next time I decide to do something like this slap my up aside my head. Thank you) But when we saw the growing group of punks watching our every move I said to my wife that this is not worth my time or my saftey. Even Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson agreed as well. But then again I may have mistaken these fine young men dressed in baggy pants and large fake gold chains as the Welcome Wagon from the block.
Either way the blame does not rest on the lack of a gym. It rests with the family unit or lack of. If fathers or mothers don't show an interest in their kids and try and show them some values, manners, and how to take responsibility then the jail system will be their next stop. Not the local gym.
I won't be in town for the march but I wish I could be. I firmly believe the "haves" in our community should embrace and empower the "have nots." I've been working with the kids in South Cape for ten years now and have been cussed at and disrespected often. Love is what keeps me going, No Disclosure. Here's a shout out to others who might be hesitant to help - get in touch with your inner Good Samaritan and do something!
I have a good solution, how about sterilizing the men and women that can not or refuse to help raise these kids that grow into problem people in our society. You have to start somewhere. How can these parasite people instill morals and values to children when they can't even handle their own lives? I say fix the women that have to be on welfare and make the guys get a vasectomy so they can't bring in any more illegitimate children. This goes for all people, black, white, hispanic, asian, etc.
Well I believe instead of the "haves" embracing anyone, the "have nots" should see what the "haves" do to make themselves succesful and emulate those qualities. I'll go out on a limb and say that the "haves" work hard, value education, are motivated in all areas of their life, invest in their future and look further down the road than just their next paycheck. No amount of money in the world will turn a "have not" into a "have". The desire to be a "have" comes from within. The bottom line is this, "haves" have habits that keep them succesful, and "have nots" have the habits that keep them unsuccesful.
The key word in my message was "love." Sorry, I don't feel love in your words "sterilization" (ArmySarge),"filth" (NoDisclosure), and "punks" (gman). I'll pray for you guys and the kids.
Want to see an organized march?
Go down and stand on the corner at Bloomfield and Benton or Hanover on a warm night......if you dare.
All citizens of our city should witness this!
"There's nothing to do there. ... The nearest gym is the Osage Centre," Reddin said. "So a lot of the kids have nowhere to go. That's why they hang out on the street corners and sell dope."
I live 10 miles from town. There is nothing to do where I live but mow my yard and raise my kids. I stay home at night and watch television and go to bed to wake up the next day to go to work. My kids go to school, when they are home they stay at home and do chores, watch television and do their homework.
I think Reddin is already stereotyping this community himself. He is basically calling them what I saw them as and that is filth of the community.
Bonner said one church can't solve South Cape's problems.
Not even the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit can solve South Cape's problems.
Rev. Bonner and Mr. Reddin, continue your great efforts. Stay positive and focused on what is important....the people, the children and the community. You have an abundance of support.
There are laws and ordinances that deal with loitering and standing in the streets. Our Police have done nothing to enforce these laws. I would be willing to bet if 40 or 50 young people gathered on the streets and yards on the far north side the police would respond in minutes.
This area is a war zone folks! Many of these pillars are well armed also. I hear small arm fire almost every summer night from down there.
There is NO hope for this area unless a bull dozer is used. That would force a clean up real quick! It would also deal with some of our slumlords here in Cape. Shame on these folks for making this area a ghetto filled with crime and criminals. I feel sorry for the folks who live in this area that do try to be civilized. By the way, this isn't a race problem its a people problem! I applaud Rev. Bonners efforts but this won't do a darn bit of good in my opinion. Maybe I am wrong but somehow I doubt it.
This is the results of single parent homes with several children. The streets are just waiting for you to let them out at night.