I am going to get chewed out about this. I know I am. I am prepared for it. In true LJ Knight fashion I don’t care. It wouldn’t be right if I did not pose this question to the masses. Here it is: Why the hell is Lauryn Hill pregnant again? I was one of the few who was not pleased with the recent news of her expecting her sixth child by married man, Rohan Marley. Before the pro-life enthusiasts go on the attack let me explain the reasons why I may be, one of the few who was not pleased with Ms. Hill being pregnant yet again.

1. She Is NOT Married To This Man.

I understand that marriage is not for everyone and I can respect a couple’s reasoning as to why they would not see the need for marriage. Marriage is not for everyone. However, I am a firm believer that once you start popping out a herd of children, that man needs to put a ring on it. If he can lay all in you all day like you are his wife, without exercising any caution or preventive measure, then he can make you his wife. I am not down with any man, laying up with a woman, spreading his seed in her, like she is some sort of animal that has litters of children but not fully committing to her. Too often in the African American community we replace having a baby with being married. Having a child with someone has become the new marriage. As if this is the only way to guarantee that you will always be in each others lives. Rather than making a legally, spiritually, emotionally, binding commitment. In other words, if she is good enough for you to make several children with then she is damn good enough to be your wife. No excuse a man can give me as to why he would feel comfortable with making several babies with a woman but not marrying her is acceptable. So fellas, if you are going to attempt to sway me, try hard. I don’t care if it is the legendary Lauryn Hill or Laquesha from the block. If she is good enough for you to make 6 kids with then she is good enough to be your wife. There may not be anything wrong with being a baby moma. But there damn sure isn’t anything wrong with demanding to be a wife as well. End of discussion.

2. Isn’t Rohan Marley Married To Another Woman?

I am not sure if this is an urban legend or not. However, rumors of Rohan Marley still being married to his first wife, despite having a relationship and several children with Hill have been circulating around the internet for years. At first I questioned the validity of it, but now, I tend to think it may be closer to the truth. Why he isn’t divorced from this woman? Who the hell knows. It is obvious that he prefers to be with Lauryn so why not make it official and legal? I am sure there is a reason behind this, whatever the reason is, it is not good enough for me. Like many others, I grew up listening to Lauryn Hill. I watched her grow and mature. At one point her talent seemed limitless. Which is why it disturbs me to see her caught up in- to be frank- some hoe ish. She deserves so much more than being a man’s personal breeder, lover, mistress, homewrecker, or baby mama. I don’t care if he is a Marley.

3. I Fear That Lauryn May Be Suffering From A Mental Illness.

For years, rumors of Lauryn Hill’s self imposed reclusiveness was thought to be due to mental illness. Her fellow bandmates have also confirmed this. I will admit that at first I assumed that Hill was just “over” the whole fame thing. As she always struck me as a sista with a higher purpose in life than simply singing on stage. Perhaps she just wanted a “normal” life. But several incidents over the years have led me to believe that the rumors may be true. From her showing up to performances several hours late, forgetting words to her own songs, to her performing in blistering heat with a full, winter coat on and clothing to other incidents that many have swept under the rug over the years. We all so badly wanted Lauryn to be back that it did not matter to us that she may no longer be mentally fit to handle the guise of fame. How selfish of us. Mental illness is often down played and dismissed in the black community and millions of people suffer in silence because their family either takes it as a joke, or simply ignores the fragile state that their family member is in. Often times this happens until it is too late to help the loved one. Or, the loved one self medicates with drugs and alcohol. Either scenario is a sad one that happens far too often. It would be a sad state if Hill was substituting receiving help for her mental state with producing children. Stranger things have happened.