Sandy Speaks: In the Words of Sandra Bland

I am sure by now you have heard about and seen footage of Sandra Bland being pulled over, harassed, mishandled, and arrested for failing to use her turn signal to switch lanes by Texas State Trooper Brian T. Encinia . Three days later, Sandra was found dead in her jail cell. The police department claims she hung herself, but the officer’s dash cam informs us that he intended to “light her up.” It hurt me to watch and hear the pain inflicted on Sandra Bland. I am uncertain this state trooper will get what he deserves.

Inspired by the news like her own death and her nephews, Sandra Bland spoke into existence on January 15, 2015 a new video series, “Sandy Speaks”. Sandra Bland had a lot to say. As her fellow black content creator and her sister, I want to do my part to ensure that Sandy Speaks.

Here is what Sandra Bland wanted the world to know:

 “Uplift the children”- Sandra Bland (Tweet This)

Sandra Bland did not believe the children of Jackie Robinson West should have been stripped of their international title. She felt like the zoning investigation had been done twice prior to awarding the young team their trophy. Sandra felt that the children should not have been punished for things that they had no control over.

This is exactly what Sandra had say:

https://www.facebook.com/sandra.bland.5070/videos/vb.73304051/10100572326605424/?type=2&theater

Here is Sandra with her nieces and nephews.

“Establish your King or Queendom”- Sandra Bland (Tweet This)

In many videos, Sandra speaks about establishing your Kingdom or Queedom. Sandra believed that it was time to cut out fun and games and get serious. Check out this meme she shared on April 11, 2015:

https://www.facebook.com/sandra.bland.5070/videos/vb.73304051/10100568501341284/?type=2&theater

Sandra showed a strong love for African American history. She believed that we are American, and so put an emphasis on it being American history… but don’t get it twisted. By the time you finish this post, you will see Sandra Bland was a revolutionary sister with a vision.

She even recorded an episode of Sandy Speaks from the DuSable Musem of African American History:

https://www.facebook.com/sandra.bland.5070/videos/vb.73304051/10100576752126644/?type=2&theater

https://www.facebook.com/sandra.bland.5070/videos/vb.73304051/10100617026077324/?type=2&theater

“In the process of uniting, there my be some inciting”- Sandra Bland (Tweet This)

Let Sandra spill the tea here:

https://www.facebook.com/sandra.bland.5070/videos/vb.73304051/10100618184266304/?type=2&theater

I admire this woman. She spoke what was on her mind. Sandra Bland not only waked the walk, she talked the talk. Sandra Bland was an activist. She believed all black lives mattered, but she was not racist.

On March 21, 2015, she posted this:

“Sandy is going to keep on speaking”- Sandra Bland (Tweet That)

When Sandra started making videos, some people did not want her voice to heard. She was told to stop making videos by Deron, a black man who threatened to “turn up” on her ass.

Notice that Sandra laughs him off. Maureen also tried to silence Sandra in their public high school group. She reported her dropping one of her videos into the public group. See the exchange here:

https://www.facebook.com/sandra.bland.5070/videos/vb.73304051/10100606804885674/?type=2&theater

I honestly feel that right now Sandra’s message is getting lost because there is so much going on behind her death. I really don’t want to see that happen. This is her Queendom, and she left it all here for us.

Here is what I believe to be the entire Sandy Speaks Series.

Isn’t this ironic.

Notes: Learn more about National African American Parent Involvement Day.