The Audacity of Hate

After viewing only part (I can’t stomach all of these videos) of the traffic stop video of #SandraBland’s arrest, something became increasingly clear to me.  This cop did not, in the least bit, care that he was being recorded, that not only his actions but also his words were being documented. State Trooper Brian T. Encinia was out line, to no avail, for most of their encounter.

“You ok? You seem very irritated.”

“Get out of the car or I will remove you.”

“I’m gonna yank you outta here!”

“I am gonna drag you outta here!”

“GET OUTTA THE CAR! I WILL LIGHT YOU UP!”

He says all of these things and physically tries to remove #SandraBland from the car by giving her a “lawful” (not lawful) order.  He then directs her to stand out of the view of the camera.  All of this is being recorded, not by a bystander, but by his very own police issued camera. This seems like a training video for what not to do.  But he didn’t care.  He was egotistical and clearly angry that this young black woman was verbally challenging him by knowing her rights.

The audacity of hate is bold and brazen in this video.  Encinia acts as if it doesn’t matter if he’s being recorded or if he gets caught because whatever act of hatred that occurs will be handled in a way that he, the offender, is unharmed and unpunished.  Or maybe he doesn’t believe what he is doing is wrong.  Perhaps in his mind, #SandraBland rightfully deserves the treatment she receives.  If this is true, what could possibly make him believe this?  Well, because #whitesupremacy.

White supremacy, coupled with male privilege, led Encincia to feel as if his natural born white authority was being challenged. There is no way this black female should be allowed to speak to Encinia with such self-confidence, fierceness, and intelligence.  #SandraBland didn’t break any current laws by challenging him; what she broke was old Jim Crow laws that are no longer legalized but still exist in the conscience of many white people.  In this system, blacks were supposed to be subservient and submissive, especially to white male authority. State Trooper Encincia longed for the good ol’ days where white was right.  His momentary lapse into nostalgia empowered him to boldly impose his will of whiteness upon #SandraBland, even while being recorded. From the use of hostile language to physical force, the audacity of his hatred ultimately contributed to the death of #SandraBland.