Dear MSM,stop calling Sandra Blands arrest a "routine traffic stop".

[ecstatic]

29. Sudden movements (including raising your unarmed hands)

probably wouldn't go over well with trigger happy cops.

But like you, I'm second guessing myself as well. I see now that the things I'd do to keep my emotions in check (respectful but cold compliance with limited eye contact) could potentially activate "Out of Control" mode with an unhinged cop.

My default reaction to an actively out of control cop is sort of like a deer in headlights, which is probably just as bad as resisting. A cop screaming at me, especially at gunpoint, would probably cause just enough confusion and anxiety to prevent me from quickly comprehending and complying with orders. Of course, that would make the cop even more angry and out of control. I think it's the mismatch between an adrenaline filled cop's exaggerated sense of urgency versus the civilian who's simply trying to process wtf is going on that often gives the appearance of resisting orders and/or arrest.