Although “ME TOO” was written in 2022, its message remains as urgent today as when it was first put to paper.
On the 11th anniversary of Sandra Bland’s death, independent artist Tee Slaves releases “ME TOO,” a protest record dedicated not only to the women whose names became national headlines, but also to the countless Black women whose stories never received the same level of public attention.
On the record, Tee Slaves declares:
“My name is Tee Slaves and I’m speaking for the graves,
for the Sandra Blands, Nia Wilsons, Breonna Tays…
Say they name.”
For Tee Slaves, the lyric is intentionally broader than the names it mentions.
“When I heard the beat, it was called ‘No Justice No Peace’ by Tedyster on Rapchat. I wrote the song in 2022 because I wanted to speak directly as a Black woman about safety, justice, and the lives of women whose stories changed how many of us understood this country. Sandra Bland’s story stayed with me because I saw myself in her.”
On July 10, 2015, Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old Black woman, was stopped by a Texas state trooper after changing lanes without signaling. What began as a routine traffic stop quickly escalated into a confrontation, during which Bland was forcibly removed from her vehicle and arrested. Three days later, she was found dead in her jail cell in Waller County. Her death was officially ruled a suicide, but the circumstances surrounding her arrest, detention, and death sparked nationwide protests and renewed calls for transparency, accountability, and reforms in policing and jail practices.
Sandra Bland and Tee Slaves were the same age, with birthdays only weeks apart.
“She is one of the reasons I found my voice during the Black Lives Matter movement. Eleven years later, I still struggle to make sense of the kind of danger so many Black Americans feel while driving, walking, standing, or simply existing.”
The title “ME TOO” draws inspiration from the broader movement demanding transparency, accountability, and safety for women. Tee Slaves says the song expands that conversation, arguing that every person—regardless of race or sex—should be able to move through the world with dignity and without fear.
Tee Slaves says “ME TOO” also honors women whose names have become symbols of national conversations—including Sandra Bland, Nia Wilson, Breonna Taylor, and Sonya Massey—as well as women whose stories never reached the same level of public awareness. It is equally dedicated to those whose names were known only to their families, neighborhoods, and communities. She also points to cases like Saniyah Cheatham, whose death in NYPD custody in the Bronx renewed calls for transparency and accountability.
“‘ME TOO’ is bigger than one case,” says Tee Slaves. “It’s for every family left searching for answers, every community carrying grief, and every name that deserved to be remembered, whether the country learned it or not.”
“What triggers me most about Sandra is that I can see myself. That’s the hardest part. You wonder how you’re supposed to feel safe when ordinary moments can suddenly become life-changing. That question hasn’t left me.”
Through “ME TOO,” Tee Slaves hopes remembrance becomes more than reflection. While no song can undo a loss, she believes that remembering these lives—and demanding accountability where it is warranted—can help ensure their stories continue to inspire dialogue, awareness, and a commitment to a more just future
Released as part of her forthcoming project Connected, “ME TOO” is both a memorial and a call to action: to remember the names, honor the lives, and continue the work of building a society where everyone can expect safety, dignity, and equal justice.
Link to music: https://li.sten.to/metoo-teeslavesmusic
