On July 10th, 2015, a young African American woman named Sandra Bland was pulled over by a Texas state trooper. What should have been just another routine traffic stop quickly escalated into an altercation that would ultimately result in her death while in police custody.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage and protests, with many demanding answers as to how such a seemingly minor encounter could have turned so deadly. As a writer and journalist, I cannot help but draw parallels between this tragic event and the works of renowned horror author Stephen King.
King’s novels often explore themes of fear, power dynamics, and corruption within authority figures. In the case of Sandra Bland, these themes are all too real.
When she was pulled over for failing to signal before changing lanes, the situation quickly became tense when the officer asked her to put out her cigarette. Despite being within her rights to smoke in her own vehicle, Sandra refused to comply with what she saw as an unjust request from someone who had no right to make it.
From there on out, things only got worse. The officer threatened to “light [her] up” with his Taser if she did not exit the car immediately. When she continued to refuse and assert her rights as a citizen under the law, he forcibly removed her from the vehicle and arrested her for resisting arrest – despite there being no grounds for such an accusation.
In any Stephen King novel worth its salt – whether it be The Shining or Misery – one can expect moments of terror where characters feel trapped or powerless against their oppressors. In Sandra’s case, this feeling must have been all too real when faced with what seemed like an unwarranted use of force by someone meant to serve and protect.
But perhaps even more terrifying than any fictional horror is how easily incidents like this can happen in our reality; how systemic racism still exists within our institutions; how those meant to uphold justice can so easily abuse their power.
It is worth noting that Sandra Bland’s death in police custody was officially ruled a suicide. However, many questions still remain about the circumstances surrounding her arrest and detention. The fact remains that she should not have been pulled over for such a minor infraction to begin with, much less subjected to aggressive and unjust treatment by someone who swore an oath to protect and serve.
As we reflect on this tragedy, it is important to remember that it is not enough simply to mourn or protest injustice after it has already occurred. We must also work towards creating systemic change within our institutions; towards holding those in positions of power accountable for their actions; towards dismantling the systems of oppression that continue to hold back marginalized communities across the country.
In Stephen King novels, characters often find themselves facing unimaginable horrors that threaten their very existence. In Sandra Bland’s case – and countless others like hers – the horror lies in how everyday encounters can so quickly turn deadly when met with unchecked authority figures.
We owe it to her memory – and all those who have suffered similar injustices – to ensure that such horrors are never allowed to happen again.