Following a series of events this week surrounding the suspicious death of Sandra Bland, we are left with more questions than answers. On July 13, Bland was found dead in her jail cell, and her death has now been ruled a suicide by hanging. However, for anyone who has seen the dashcam footage of Bland’s arrest or even her mug shot, where she appears to lying on the floor (and possibly dead), her tragic loss of life seems to be just another instance of racially charged police aggression.
There have been rallying cries for a thorough investigation into every aspect of her July 10 arrest. from the moment she was detained to whether or not the traffic stop itself was legal (she was arrested for allegedly assaulting a state trooper), to how she was treated once in custody.
There is even speculation that the dashcam footage taken from the trooper’s vehicle has been altered in some way. Selma director Ava DuVernay voiced her opinion, that as someone who regularly edits videos, it was evident that the footage had been tampered with. “I edit footage for a living. But anyone can see that this official video has been cut,” she tweeted. DuVernay added, “Glitches. Motion sensors. Clouds. Reasons from those who say SandraBland vid is pristine. Doesn’t explain loops + audio cuts. But, um, OK.”
Of course, DuVernay wasn’t the only celebrity in the Twitterverse who has been following the case closely. “Grey’s Anatomy” actor Jesse Williams put Bland’s death into chilling perspective in a series of tweets.
San Diego [White] Man Waves Gun Around Small Children In Confrontation With Police, then treated like a human being http://t.co/wKM4ahM6Gm
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
Woman Goes on Shooting Spree, Yet Somehow Isn’t Killed By Police http://t.co/wMexigGvUJ #SandraBland
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 22, 2015
“Some thoughts on #SandraBland & millions of Americans exhausted by paid servants destroying instead of defending lives. And those reflexively parroting weak slogans; squealing for violence & murder from behind a centuries-old wall of perfectly visible privilege,” read the first two of 24 tweets Williams wrote (and numbered) inspired by Bland.
He continued: “This country is FULL of Americans who actively exercise their rights when given unlawful, unclear orders by police. Refusing to roll down windows, present ID, hand over assault rifles, answer ANY questions, etc. THEY are lauded as heroes; patriots. Message boards swell w/ Police being ridiculed & laughed at by this Patriot-Class of Americans.
“Without fail, when select Americans excercise their rights, message boards FILL w praise for the resisting citizen & mockery of police. An entire political party [re]constructed loudly claiming to RESIST “gov’t tyranny” while actively CELEBRATING [certain] gov’t tyranny! A select segment of Americans are granted the privilege of being able to resist said tyranny, scream at it, punch, shove or elude it. For membership consideration, this club has ONE requirement: the citizen(s) resisting police/the law/status quo must be white.
“Every time the story involves a black citizen, doing far less, presumed guilt BEGINS as their’s to shed. But one cannot shed blackness. Blackness turns ‘awesome!’ or ‘badass!’ to ‘thug’ ‘n—–‘ faster than a speeding bullet. Whiteness turns villain to hero in a flash. As we well know, police are not THE law. They swear to UPHOLD & ENFORCE the law in a professional, courteous manner, whenever possible. Otherwise, whenever we had a problem, we’d just call our friends, local gangs or the mob to handle problems. The mob, gangs and citizens can be prosecuted though.
“Should there should be a discernible difference b/t thugs & police? You can’t arrest someone for “resisting arrest.” That’s bullshit. Clearly state the charge & when resisted, that’s an additional charge. WE DO NOT BEGIN AS POLICE PROPERTY, to be freed or detained based on some guy’s mood or feeling. We are not theirs. Police weapons & cuffs do not dissolve if we don’t like their attitude. Our rights should remain intact if they’re displeased w/ ours.
“SandraBland’s treatment while attempting to travel freely on HER public roadways has been acknowledged as unlawful. She is already dead. Blackness is born to be w/ 2.9 strikes. A life that can & will be snatched by it’s nation at any time, any place. Any age, any gender. Those who relentlessly excuse all anti-black state violence cheerlead when people born of their same complexion resist cops & presidents. What follows is an easily searchable sampling of the glaring daily white privilege not afforded to millions of Americans who’s lives are forever damaged or destroyed, while millions cheer and/or avert their gaze: Before we begin, please list ALL infractions punishable by spontaneous murder at the hands of any police or white citizen. #ShowYourWork.”
And Williams was not alone. For more reactions from celebs who want to see justice for Sandra Bland, hit the flip.
