Stay Connected
Atlanta Black Star/Politics/National
CultureNationalNewsRace

Three Ways Sandra Bland Is Being Remembered

Posted byBy A. K. Staggers | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

635726443366152233-Bland-03Since July, Sandra Bland’s name has been on the lips of many in the Black Lives Matter movement and others who believe her death remains suspicious.  While her death has been ruled a suicide, some interesting changes have taken place that will shine a light on her life and the tragedy of her death.

Although he didn’t point to Bland’s death specifically, Texas Lieutenant Governor, Dan Patrick announced last week that hearings will be held to investigate jailhouse suicides.  The committee will be chaired by state senator, John Whitmire.  Including Bland, there have been 29 jailhouse deaths ruled as suicide this year.

Bail reform is also on the lips of some Texans these days.  An active coalition of 25 organizations have begun working with legislators to reform bail procedures in Harris County (which is adjacent to Waller County where Bland was held) and throughout the state of Texas.  According to some reports, as many as 400 people are in jail now awaiting trial for misdemeanors.  Many of these people are poor and have no means with which to secure their freedom. Bland was detained on $5,000 bail. Her bond was set at $500 and was never posted.

With this many people incarcerated awaiting bail and/or hearings in their cases, Harris County jails are overextended and resources are lacking, including access to health care and counseling.

In addition to the jail suicide hearings and bail reform advocacy, Bland’s name will also be spoken by those who drive down the street leading to her alma mater, Prairie View A&M.  The Prairie View City Council voted on August 25 to rename the street “Sandra Bland Parkway.” What is now University Boulevard is a major street in Prairie View and the decision to rename it is not without opposition.  There are some of the town’s 6,000 residents who feel Bland is undeserving of the honor.  Still others feel this is the very least that can be done to honor her, citing the reality that justice for Bland will never be served.

At the time of her death, Bland had recently moved to the area to accept a position at Prairie View A&M.  She was only 28.

Democracy needs journalism it can trust.

This election season, the stakes are higher than usual — and so is the pressure on newsrooms to soften their coverage, stay quiet, or just disappear. Independent reporting, the kind that answers to readers instead of advertisers or political pressure, matters more in a moment like this, not less.

For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed independent and reader-funded. We have no corporate owner and no shareholders telling us what to cover or how to cover it. That independence is also our biggest vulnerability: nothing protects it except readers choosing to fund it directly.

Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under in a moment like this, it's rarely the independent, reader-funded ones that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Give once Give monthly Support another way

Related Stories

Back to top