# Sandra Bland video **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 22, 2015, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859 "2015-07-22T05:50:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 88
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1741 "2015-08-11T19:36:42Z")
For a national debate, how much her family sucks doesn’t matter. How her arrest and jailing were handled does. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1742 "2015-08-11T20:24:41Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Sandra Bland took her own life. I suggest that a family does have an obligation to it’s members. Not a legal obligation because, as you say, Sandra was an adult, but it’s an obligation just the same. It must be very depressing to discover that your own family would allow you to spend days in jail rather than pop for a $500 bail. > > I think it’s safe to say that Sandra’s life already sucked. Being arrested didn’t help her depression, but being abandoned by her family may have pushed her over the edge. When considering why Sandra chose to commit suicide, I believe everything should be considered. Sure. But perhaps I could direct your attention to another question: why was Sandra Bland able to effectuate her desire to commit suicide? Did her success happen because the jail failed to implement reasonable procedures to stop her? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1743 "2015-08-12T13:29:34Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > For a national debate, how much her family sucks doesn’t matter. How her arrest and jailing were handled does. According to whom? You? How do you intend to control a national debate? Will you supply a list of **CarnalK** -approved items that you consider to be acceptable for the discussion? Will anyone adhere to your approved list? How will you force compliance? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1744 "2015-08-12T13:53:34Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Sure. But perhaps I could direct your attention to another question: why was Sandra Bland able to effectuate her desire to commit suicide? Did her success happen because the jail failed to implement reasonable procedures to stop her? Those are very good questions. Bland chose to commit suicide. Jail procedures could have been more effective. Should every cell have a video camera? Should every inmate wear a heart rate monitor? Should every cell have a camera/sensor that measures body temp? Should every inmate have a roommate? Should every 4 cells have an officer dedicated for observation purposes? I see two primary topics concerning the death of Sandra Bland. 1) How did she die and 2) why did she die? How Bland died has been answered. Why did she die is much harder to determine. There was a traffic violation, a take-down, an arrest, an incarceration, and no one who was willing/able to post Bland’s bail. All of those events would be depressing to the average person. Unfortunately, Bland also had a history of depression. She lost a child in 2014. She had cuts on her arm. She stopped posting on the internet for several weeks, blaming that fact on depression. She had to find work in Texas, away from her family, because she couldn’t find work in Illinois. Bland’s family should have known, or been aware of, Bland’s history of personal problems. Personally, I see no reason not to include Bland’s family relationship when discussing why Sandra Bland died. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1745 "2015-08-12T14:16:12Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Bland’s family should have known, or been aware of, Bland’s history of personal problems. Personally, I see no reason not to include Bland’s family relationship when discussing why Sandra Bland died. So you think they should be arrested? Should the government start a “bail out your suicidal kid” awareness campaign? Where are you going with this? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1746 "2015-08-12T14:54:31Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > So you think they should be arrested? Should the government start a “bail out your suicidal kid” awareness campaign? Where are you going with this? Hahahaha. You’re a hoot. How did you arrive at the conclusion that the Bland family should be arrested? Just to be clear, Bland had a history of depression, and the cuts on her arm suggests an attempted suicide or just cutting herself. Both could be signs of a serious problem. Why shouldn’t the Bland’s family history be a part of a discussion concerning Sandra Bland? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1747 "2015-08-12T15:08:46Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Hahahaha. You’re a hoot. How did you arrive at the conclusion that the Bland family should be arrested? > > Just to be clear, Bland had a history of depression, and the cuts on her arm suggests an attempted suicide or just cutting herself. Both could be signs of a serious problem. > > Why shouldn’t the Bland’s family history be a part of a discussion concerning Sandra Bland? I wasn’t making conclusions - I was asking you to. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1748 "2015-08-12T15:17:48Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I wasn’t making conclusions - I was asking you to. I never said they should be arrested. That was entirely your own invention. I’m saying their actions should be included in the discussion. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1749 "2015-08-12T15:23:47Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I never said they should be arrested. That was entirely your own invention. > > I’m saying their actions should be included in the discussion. YMMV. I didn’t say they should be arrested either. I am asking if you are drawing to some point or conclusion about Bland’s family. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1750 "2015-08-12T15:34:00Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I didn’t say they should be arrested either. I am asking if you are drawing to some point or conclusion about Bland’s family. You introduced the idea of arresting the Bland family. I have no idea how YOU arrived at that question. I’m saying their (the Bland family) actions should be included in the discussion of Bland’s arrest and death. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1751 "2015-08-12T16:09:49Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > You introduced the idea of arresting the Bland family. I have no idea how YOU arrived at that question. Let me try and explain it to you: You see when we are talking about the arrest, people are trying to understand if the arrest was made legally, if proper procedures were followed, etc. If they weren’t then what should be the punishment? If they were, then are those laws and procedures good ones? Similarly her time in jail, were proper procedures followed? Are they good procedures? So when you want to focus on the Bland family I am wondering what questions you are trying to answer. I am not saying you are calling for their arrest: I am just throwing suggestions out there. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1752 "2015-08-12T17:00:56Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Let me try and explain it to you: You see when we are talking about the arrest, people are trying to understand if the arrest was made legally, if proper procedures were followed, etc. If they weren’t then what should be the punishment? If they were, then are those laws and procedures good ones? Similarly her time in jail, were proper procedures followed? Are they good procedures? > > So when you want to focus on the Bland family I am wondering what questions you are trying to answer. I am not saying you are calling for their arrest: I am just throwing suggestions out there. I’m saying there are many possible reasons for Bland’s suicide. I’m saying the Bland families actions should be included in a discussion about Bland’s actions. I’m not stopping you from discussing Bland’s arrest. I’m not stopping you from discussing Bland’s imprisonment. And I certainly never suggested that the Bland family should be arrested. But as long as YOU introduced the idea of the Bland family being arrested, maybe you could explain how you came up with that idea. Give it your Rorschach-best effort. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1753 "2015-08-12T17:56:01Z")
It was mere whimsy. But yeah, I don’t want to gossip about Bland’s family. It doesn’t matter to me what the reasons they were unwilling or unable to pay bail. We really can’t do anything about it one way or the other. But we can do something about arresting people on flimsy charges. We can do something about jailors’ procedures with a prisoner who admits to past suicide attempts and with a potentially dangerous medical condition. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1754 "2015-08-12T21:29:48Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I’m saying their (the Bland family) actions should be included in the discussion of Bland’s arrest and death. YMMV. No you’re not. You’re requiring the finances of people unrelated to the arrest to be brought into this discussion. It’s bogus and it’s bullshit. It’s beyond clutching at a straw to try and involve _family_, when the arresting officer behaved so unprofessionally. Second, it’s cringing to see someone assume _family_ could and should help. Really, everything about your contribution reeks of middle class suburbia. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1755 "2015-08-12T21:31:33Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Second, it’s cringing to see someone assume _family_ could and should help. Really, everything about your contribution reeks of middle class suburbia. Assuming that family should help is “middle class suburbia”? What - “in the hood” family is meaningless? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1756 "2015-08-12T22:01:18Z")
Are you angling for that tired old “Liberals are the real racists” _shtick_ again? That works for you? ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1757 "2015-08-12T22:33:27Z")
I’m sorry, I’d like to respond but I’m right in between mowing the lawn and picking up the kids. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1758 "2015-08-13T19:13:32Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > No you’re not. You’re requiring the finances of people unrelated to the arrest to be brought into this discussion. It’s bogus and it’s bullshit. > > It’s beyond clutching at a straw to try and involve _family_, when the arresting officer behaved so unprofessionally. > > Second, it’s cringing to see someone assume _family_ could and should help. Really, everything about your contribution reeks of middle class suburbia. Yes, I am. Bland’s choice of suicide makes this story different that the other anti-police stories. If you don’t wish to discuss the Bland families non-involvement, no one is forcing you to. OTOH, you don’t get to decide who can discuss it. Sucks to be you, dude. Family helps family. It’s shocking to learn that you, personally, can’t/shouldn’t count on your own family in times of crisis. Or are you just that difficult to deal with? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1759 "2015-08-13T19:22:15Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > It was mere whimsy. > But yeah, I don’t want to gossip about Bland’s family. It doesn’t matter to me what the reasons they were unwilling or unable to pay bail. We really can’t do anything about it one way or the other. But we can do something about arresting people on flimsy charges. We can do something about jailors’ procedures with a prisoner who admits to past suicide attempts and with a potentially dangerous medical condition. The actions of the Bland family would have had some effect on Sandra Bland’s mental health and well-being. p.s. It’s admirable that you don’t want to gossip on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859/1760 "2015-08-13T19:26:41Z")
If her whole family had been killed in a car accident the week before it would have had an effect on her mental well being too. Would that let us hand wave away the mistakes that were made? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859.md?page=87) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859.md?page=89)