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*Rochelle, LA:

      "EUR, I may be wrong on this, and I'm sure your readers will respond, but your using the term 'knocked up again' as you refer to Solange Knowles' rumored pregnancy is a bit disrespectful.  Isn't Solange married?  I always heard the term 'knocked up' being used when the pregnant mother was not married, or was really not in a position to take care of 'more' babies.  Solange is in neither situation.  If she were pregnant, why couldn't it be a positive thing.  The term 'knocked up' has a negative connotation to it, which brings me to my other point, not on the subject, but a valid statement.

      I really wished black people wouldn't see having children as a negative thing.  Sure, you should be in the position to take care of them, but you don't have to be rich to do it.  Hell, sugar sandwiches, powdered milk, or leftover "surprise stew" tasted just fine to me as a poor kid. 

      I make this comment because I live in Los Angeles and during the recent immigration 'protests,' I was somewhat concerned to see how many Latinos have populated the city.  There were over 500,000 Latinos at the protest, and those were the ones who could either get there by walking or had transportation!  Even the Latinos that are legal US citizens have larger families than Blacks, yet they make less money. 

      Blacks appear to be afraid these days to have children because they think they are too expensive, don't want to 'settle down,' or simply don't see the significance in bringing another life into the world.  We are quickly becoming a 'not so significant' minority, yet we have brought so much value to this country.  If I were younger and knew what I know (and see) now, I would have had a bunch of kids instead of two."

      EUR: Rochelle, you and others are reading something into the phrase completely unintended by us. Being "knocked up" is simply slang for being pregnant. At least that's our experience. However, if it can only mean being "pregnant and not being married or not in a position to take care of more babies," well, we didn't get the memo. Again, it was just another way to say pregnant. That was out intent. Period. If anything, we're guilty of being flippant, but that's it. If it was misinterpreted -- and apparently it was -- we hope this clears the air. Also, if "knocked up" connotes something negative (about being pregnant), we didn't get that memo, either.

      Finally, as far as the Latino/immigrant Vs blacks having/not having children issue, etc., is concerned, that's a whole 'nother can of worms for another day.

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