Tell the Truth: What Really Happened to Sandra Bland?

Story by Christian Outten and Nyyah Robinson. Photo courtesy HBO.

DEC. 11, 2018: HBO just dropped a trailer for its new documentary that will focus on the life and death of Sandra Bland.  If you don’t know already, a documentary is a movie about a person’s life. You might remember Sandra who was found hanging dead in a jail cell on July 13, 2015, three days after being arrested during a traffic stop in Waller County, Texas. She was very well known for being a political active speaker in the local communities. During her traffic stop, Sandra and a police officer got into an argument and she was arrested. Officials ruled her death a suicide but her story made national headlines and inspired protests around in many cities. She was only 28 years old when she passed away. Many still question her arrest and the reasons for her death.

The documentary is called “Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland.” It is set to air this month on HBO. The documentary will focus on her life and take a look at her family’s fight for justice with Texas authorities. According to CNN, “the film will include 30 video blogs that Sandra had posted on social media which she discussed topics on racism and police brutality.”

In a statement by HBO, “Say Her Name” takes viewers deep inside a story that galvanized activists across the country.”

I think this documentary will be important for everyone to see especially because the killing continues today. It isn’t just happening to African American men, but women too. Maybe everyone can learn that there are so many things wrong with our police departments and justice system. So you should be a lot more careful and watching your actions.This means don’t do anything you feel is wrong or know is wrong. Stay safe and be careful.

Christian Outten and Nyyah Robinson are both 4th grade scholars at Friendship Woodridge Academy.