This is honestly a really difficult subject for me, for a few reasons.
Okay, first, let us address the police officer. He is an absolute douchebag. To my understanding, she was pulled over from an improper lane change (when she was trying to get out of the officer's way, no less). Correct? So, he's a huge dick in that regard. However... if a police officer is yelling at you to do something, your case is going to be a lot easier to settle if you are cooperative and remain silent. I am not saying that Sandra Bland is wrong in this instance. I am just saying that in terms of public opinion, she would look a lot better if she just got out of the car when ordered to do so. With that being said, I do think it was a smart decision to vocalize the excessive force (because that is what is bringing attention to this), but the situation most likely would not have presented itself if she was a little more cooperative, even if she believed she was in the right.
Overall, though, this is a tragic case, and no one should lose their life over a minor traffic violation.
To me personally, it's rather clear cut. She probably could avoided this. But that doesn't change the fact that the cop was a powertripping asshole.
His requests were unreasonable and that amount of force was unwarranted for what she did. There was no weapon involved.
A traffic violation should consist of her getting a ticket end of story.
I completely agree. The officer in question was completely out-of-line, but unfortunately, when people resist officers who are out-of-line, it only makes things worse. This shouldn't be the case, but it often is. In a way, it's clear-cut, but it also isn't -- simply because in an ideal society, a police officer would never be out-of-line.
[–] conundrumbombs ago
This is honestly a really difficult subject for me, for a few reasons.
Okay, first, let us address the police officer. He is an absolute douchebag. To my understanding, she was pulled over from an improper lane change (when she was trying to get out of the officer's way, no less). Correct? So, he's a huge dick in that regard. However... if a police officer is yelling at you to do something, your case is going to be a lot easier to settle if you are cooperative and remain silent. I am not saying that Sandra Bland is wrong in this instance. I am just saying that in terms of public opinion, she would look a lot better if she just got out of the car when ordered to do so. With that being said, I do think it was a smart decision to vocalize the excessive force (because that is what is bringing attention to this), but the situation most likely would not have presented itself if she was a little more cooperative, even if she believed she was in the right.
Overall, though, this is a tragic case, and no one should lose their life over a minor traffic violation.
[–] smeezekitty [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
To me personally, it's rather clear cut. She probably could avoided this. But that doesn't change the fact that the cop was a powertripping asshole. His requests were unreasonable and that amount of force was unwarranted for what she did. There was no weapon involved. A traffic violation should consist of her getting a ticket end of story.
[–] conundrumbombs ago
I completely agree. The officer in question was completely out-of-line, but unfortunately, when people resist officers who are out-of-line, it only makes things worse. This shouldn't be the case, but it often is. In a way, it's clear-cut, but it also isn't -- simply because in an ideal society, a police officer would never be out-of-line.