When I saw the video of Ms. Bland being dragged out of her car by Trooper Encinia because she refused to step out of her car I researched my rights in case I am commanded by an officer to step out of my car.
Because I’m scared.
Because a few months ago when I was pulled over for holding my cell phone (for GPS purposes) while driving I was keenly aware that what I said or did could trigger a series of events that might humiliate me in front of my kids, cause me harm or even death.
Because I am a black woman.
When I wrote a post about the fear I felt when I got pulled over and ticketed for holding my cell phone (for GPS purposes) most people understood and empathized with my concerns.
Because I am a black woman.
One reader suggested that I over stated my concern and that the color of my skin had nothing to do with it.
The fact that I cannot 100% believe that the color of my skin had nothing to do with the officer ticketing me instead of letting me off with a warning is reflective of our current times.
When Sandra Bland was disrespected, bullied, physically pulled out of her car, threatened (not warned) with a taser, then arrested by Trooper Encinia I can’t 100% believe that it did not happen because she was an “angry black woman” showing frustration and indignance towards a white policeman.
I don’t believe the same confrontation would have occurred if it it were a white man or woman.
My belief is reflective of our current times.
Sandra Bland is dead.
The fact that we suspect that her death in a jail cell (where she stayed for days because she could not post her $5,000 bail) is related to her altercation with Encinia is reflective of our current times.
The fact that my black friends who are mothers have taught their black sons to play statue if ever stopped by an officer is reflective of our past and our current times.
The fact that 18 year old Kindra Smith was found dead in her Atlanta jail cell due to apparent suicide one day after Sandra Bland died is suspect, confounding and it is reflective of our current times.
The fact that a 5 year old black girl’s choice to play dead in South Carolina in order to avoid getting shot by a white terrorist in her church saved her life and prompted me to consider teaching my 5 and 7 year old the same tactic (just in case) is reflective of our current times.
The fact that I was walking in an affluent, white neighborhood at night wearing a sweater with a hood over my head then panicked and removed the hood when I realized what I might look like to a passerby is reflective of our current times.
The fact that #sayhername was created as a resource to enlighten our culture about police brutality and profiling against other black women is reflective of our current times.
The fact that I am
- scared
- outraged
- confused
- heartbroken
- disillusioned
- weary
is reflective of our current times.
Because Sandra Bland is dead.
There must be a federal investigation of the circumstances surrounding her death in that jail cell.
Trooper Brian Encinia abused his power and did not follow procedure.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Encinia was placed on administrative duty for violating procedures and the department’s “courtesy policy.”
The only reason we have seen that video is because Sandra Bland was found dead in her jail cell supposedly by her own hand.
Trooper Encinia did not include information about the confrontation in his arrest warrant.
And time ticks on until something like this happens again.
Why must this happen again?
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[“source – chicagonow.com”]
