SIKESTON SOLUTIONS

When so much of the news from the Sunset neighborhood of Sikeston is negative, it is uplifting to see nearly 100 black men get together for an event they called the Hundred-Man Rally, an offshoot, in a way, of the Million-Man March that was held recently in Washington, D.C.

The Sikeston rally was a simple way to show the rest of the community that black men have a genuine interest in reversing the tide of crime and poverty among Sunset residents. Ministers, educators and businessmen came together to speak up for the potential of the black community, not its failures.

Some important things were said during the rally:

-- By coming together, Sikeston's black men were making a connection, said Homer Jackson, a coach in the public school system. Setting goals and bringing people together to reach those goals is an important first step in positive change.

-- Blacks need to be heavily involved in solving problems in the black community instead of leaving the effort to white leaders who tend to show up for meetings aimed at finding solutions, said Louis Wiggins, who operates a tutoring program.

-- Prejudice shouldn't be an excuse for black men who don't want to get involved, said the Rev. Billy Williamson, a minister who once was a drug user.

-- Black parents need to face their responsibilities to their children, said Fred Johnson, head basketball coach at Sikeston High School.

The role models of the men who participated in the rally are important, and the ideals they expressed by getting together and talking were honorable and realistic.

Finding ways to encourage others to adopt a can-do attitude and a willingness to find solutions instead of fault will be a big job. The Hundred-Man Rally was a start.