A mural celebrating Black history in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood has been marred by disturbing graffiti, including swastikas and racial slurs. This act of vandalism, which occurred at Dorsey Park, is believed to be a reaction against the celebration of Black culture. The mural in question is part of a historic art project supported by local organizations like the MLK Mural Project.
According to CBS News, this mural, situated at NW 17th St. and NW 1st Ave., was painted in 2012 to honor Dorsey Park’s cultural significance. The park once hosted the Negro Leagues’ Ethiopian Clowns. Founded by artist Kyle Holbrook, the MLK Mural Project commemorates African American icons and local history, including figures like Jackie Robinson whose image was defaced.
Holbrook stated, “This was an act of hate, but it will not define us,” adding that the mural was a testament to community pride and history, and pledging to restore it with greater strength and purpose. “Black history is American history. And no spray paint can erase that truth.”
The defacement in Miami is one of several recent incidents targeting Black historical sites. In Texas, a historical marker in Dallas remembering Allen Brooks, a Black man lynched in 1910, was destroyed. Similarly, in Ohio, a man was accused of burning books on Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ studies.
Efforts to restore and even expand the Miami mural are underway, with local leaders and residents organizing a community response to this act of hate. They invite community participation in these restoration efforts, hoping to turn this incident into a moment of unity.
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