Beating a child with an object is indefensible. That said, so is being absent from said child's life like Mr. Marley was. Imagine hating the parent who stayed. That's what people are doing when they criticize single moms to the exclusion of absentee fathers, which is what's happening here. The men in Lauryn Hill's life treated her like abject garbage and aren't even worth mentioning by name.

None of that is her children's fault. I hope they all get the help they deserve so they don't pass on the pain or carry it around for the rest of their lives. Trying to blame child abuse on being Black is a copout. My (white) parents hit me & justified it as teaching me respect. No. All it really does is allow an angry parent to take their rage out on a child like a punching bag. Kids who grow up & defend it are exhibiting Stockholm Syndrome, full stop.

Ms. Hill's response is eloquent as ever. I wish she'd put this effort into music, poetry or other artistic endeavors instead of defending or explaining her shady child-rearing methods. It's bizarre & sad.