On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I would like to publicly apologize to the parents of Jordan Davis, Ron Davis and Lucia McBath. Mr. Davis and Ms. McBath, we owe you our deepest regrets for the loss of your son. We beg for your forgiveness for not protecting one of our own. We are embarrassed by the consequences of our lack of participation in the political process that has allowed laws to be passed that encourage the citizens of this nation to shoot first and get asked no questions later. This land is your land, yet with no explanation, your son was killed on his own soil. It is our greatest hope and prayer that this nation, our nation, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, delivers justice for the death of your child. A child who has been defined by “loud music,” yet it is the melody of your grace and compassion that deserves a harmonic apology. And it will be you who defines the legacy of your son, not any media outlet and certainly not the outcome of a murder trial.
We understand that no reparations will ever fully heal your wounds. There is simply no explanation for the three bullets that riddled your son’s body and took his life away from two remarkable parents who don’t deserve this pain. A pain that has emphatically clung to your souls like an anchor on a sinking ship. This burden is too great of a burden to bear, and we have been in awe of your strength as you carried this weight for this extended period of eternity. Your champion, your advocate, your chief counsel, Mr. John Phillips, deserves an apology as well, as he has pounded the drum loudly without nearly enough majors in his drum line.
In the next forty eight hours, we will stand at the edge of the River Jordan over-looking the Promised Land. We will put our faith in a judicial system that has faithfully failed us far too many times in the past. But, nevertheless, we will believe, because we so desperately want to believe, that the Promised Land was promised to all of God’s children, regardless of how loud they played their music. Today, we will turn our music up as loud as the decibels allow, so your son, Jordan, can hear us from above as we continue marching in the ranks of the drum majors for justice, peace and righteousness.
I remember when we spoke for the first time. You were literally walking into the funeral for your son and you asked me if we could help bring some dignity to the death of your child. And ever since that moment, as we have grown close as friends, I have come to realize just how incredibly special the both of you are. For over a year, you have inspired a nation to join your journey of justice for Jordan and we are incredibly proud to stand behind you. So, let’s allow this moment in your life to have some sense of tranquility and peacefulness. Let us allow our shoulders to be the pillows in which you lay your heads down to rest. Let us open our hearts to hold some of your pain and sadness. And let us wrap our arms tightly around you, your family and those who witnessed Jordan’s passing, with a strength that is unbreakable to the human spirit.
Michael Skolnik is the Editor-In-Chief of GlobalGrind.com and the political director to Russell Simmons. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Trayvon Martin Foundation. Previously, Michael was an award-winning filmmaker. Follow him on twitter @MichaelSkolnik
