Although this developing story is guaranteed to spark much debate from many schools of thought, perhaps one of the most confusing (and disappointing) ideologies emanating from Black Society throughout this ordeal is the lambasting of Sandra Bland’s outspoken and unapologetic celebration of her own Blackness. Earlier this year, we here at Melanoid Nation touched on a topic that relates to the issue at hand, and that is some Melanoid peoples’ tendencies to not want to care about systematic racism/white supremacy “as long as it doesn’t affect them directly”. This particular topic stems from the “Sandy Speaks” series of videos that she would upload on social media, in which she would openly speak on topics such as racism/white supremacy, white privilege, and the empowerment of Melanoid people.

In some circles of Black Society, there is a belief that if Sandra wouldn’t have been as outspoken or unapologetically Black, then she would be alive now. This same method of assumptive thinking also applies to the “Maybe they just shouldn’t have sagged their pants” sector of Black Society as well. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as Melanoid men, women, and children were senselessly lynched during  the first half of the 20th century in large numbers wearing suits, dresses, and school uniforms. It’s quite safe to acknowledge that many of these innocent people did what they could to stay out of trouble, and were highly productive citizens of society at that time before being killed by white supremacists.

Everyone in Black Society has a role to play in making their racial family a better one, and it is understandable that everyone doesn’t choose to be as public on their racial views as other Melanoid people. However, let us honor and support those who aren’t afraid to openly use their voices speak truth to power at the risks of losing ruining their reputations, losing their livelihoods, and even their lives. Perhaps this particular matter alone has provided enough incentive alone for us to create larger and more prevalent Black-owned and operated media outlets. This should be done in order to allow revolutionary spirits such as the Sandra Blands of the world to be our voice of reason without censorship or apprehension.

Today, we applaud the late, great Sandra Bland for her courage, and her beautiful spirit. She illustrated that there is indeed more honor in dying on our feet than living on our knees.

Sandra Bland, the Melanoid woman whose body was found in her jail cell on Monday, July 13th, died as a result of what appeared to be a modern day lynching. The Naperville, IL native who made her way to Texas in pursuit of a job opportunity, and was arrested by Waller County (TX) cops at a traffic stop.

Here is the video of Sandra Bland’s arrest.

Ms. Bland, who used the power of social media to be vocal on such issues pertaining to Black Society, as evident in this video, was very open and sincere about the plight of Melanoid people in this racist/white supremacist society. However, authorities of Waller County, TX claim that her death was a suicide, and other people in the dominant society are implying that she suffered from depression based on a video that she recorded in March. You can see the video below.

As you can see below (on the left), she also showed spoke truth to power by changing her Facebook profile picture to a Melanoid Nation meme back in April:

Sandra Bland was fully aware of the current epidemic of police brutality towards Melanoid people, which prompted her to change her Facebook picture to this meme back in April.

Those who knew Ms. Bland best refuted claims of her being depressed and suicidal. LaVaughn Mosley, her friend and mentor, said the following in regards to her deceased friend’s overall well-being:

“She was in good spirits. She was looking forward to what was next. She was making plans for the future, so there’s no way she was in a suicidal state.”

Although depression is a serious issue in Black Society, we must consider the fact that much of this stems from the lingering effects of long-term subjugation at the hands of systematic racism/white supremacy. We also understand that one of the tactics of white supremacists is to assassinate the character of any Melanoid person–dead or alive–who seeks to openly challenge their system. Despite whatever personal issues (such as depression) that Ms. Bland would speak on in her viral videos, could she have possibly been murdered by the white supremacist jail workers because of her unapologetic approach to Black issues and the love for her people?