I wonder why my people, proudly, don't celebrate the National College Signing Day for their children. These 12th graders eagerly announce which college or university they'll attend, some as first generation college students, but to very little fanfare! We're a lost community - in this regard.

In celebration of National College Signing Day on Friday, May 1, more than 2,000 students from 40 Detroit high schools will celebrate their academic Signing Day in similar fashion to NCAA National Signing Day for athletes. And First Lady Michelle Obama will help the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) host the first-ever, College Signing Day, at Wayne State University in Detroit.

Do you know where your niece, nephew, cousin, neighbor, best friend's son or daughter will be attending college? Maybe you should. And when you find out, celebrate that accomplishment - maybe even host a party equal to what many will do this weekend to see Floyd defeat Manny on Saturday night. Peace and One Love.

I Write to Differ...

NOTE: Two dynamic community leaders - media personality Carl West and attorney Andre Grant, will join WVON's Art Sims tonight during the 6 pm hour to discuss the Baltimore protest. The topic debated will focus on 'Can this happen in Chicago?'

NOTE: The time has arrived - WVON Radio introduces The Commentators! This daily analysis of world issues from four of Chicago's most exciting individuals will leave listeners wanting more; presenting snippets of relevant and important commentary. On Monday, Maze Jackson speaks. On Tuesday, Amara Enyia delivers her wisdom. On Wednesday, Carl West tells his TRUTH. And Thursday, Dr. Tiffany Sanders gives her diagnosis. - MG Media

SNEAK PEEK at Hector Pieterson

Hector Pieterson became the subject of an iconic image of the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa when a news photograph by Sam Nzima of the dying Hector being carried by another student while his sister ran next to them, was published around the world.

He was killed at the age of 13 when the police opened fire on protesting students. For years, 16 June stood as a symbol of resistance to the brutality of the apartheid government. Today, it is designated National Youth Day — when South Africans honor young people and bring attention to their needs.

On 16 June 1976, school children protested the implementation of Afrikaans and English as dual medium of instruction in secondary schools in a 50:50 basis. This was implemented throughout South Africa regardless of the locally-spoken language and some exams were also written in Afrikaans. Students gathered to peacefully demonstrate, but the crowd soon became very aggressive when the police arrived, they then started to throw stones.

A crowd of approximately 10,000 started rioting, killing two West Rand Administrative Board members, and burning a number of dogs, vehicles and buildings associated with the police and the Transvaal Education Department. A group of 30 students gathered outside the Phefeni Junior Secondary School singing the traditional Sotho anthem Morena Boloka Sechaba Sa Heso.

When the police arrived the crowd became violent, throwing rocks at the police. The police in turn fired tear gas into the crowd in order to disperse them. There are conflicting accounts of who gave the first command to shoot, but soon children were turning and running in all directions, leaving some children lying wounded on the road.

Although the media often named Hector as the first child to die that fateful day, another boy, Hastings Ndlovu, was actually the first child to be shot. But in the case of Hastings, there were no photographers on the scene, and his name was not immediately known.

When Hector was shot, he fell on the corner of Moema and Vilakazi Streets, he was picked up by Mbuyisa Makhubo (an 18-year-old schoolboy) who together with Hector's sister, Antoinette (then 17 years old), ran towards Nzima's car. Journalist Sophie Tema drove him to a nearby clinic where he was pronounced dead.

Mbuyisa and Nzima were harassed by the police after the incident and both went into hiding. Mbuyisa's mother told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that she received a letter from Mbuyisa in 1978 from Nigeria but she has not heard from him since. Hector and Hastings are buried at the Avalon Cemetery, Soweto.

In August 2002, a U.S. lawyer led a $50 million class action suit by Apartheid-era victims against international firms and banks who profited from dealings with the Apartheid regime. Among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit is Dorothy Molefi, Hector's mother. The cases was thrown out in 2004.

In June 2002, the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum was opened near the place he was shot in Orlando West, Soweto to honor Hector and those who died around the country in the 1976 uprising. It has become a major tourist attraction. The museum fuses memorabilia with modern technology and cultural history. Currently, in 2010, Hector's sister Antoinette, who is seen in the famous photograph, works at the museum as a tour guide.