Latest news with #MLKMuralProject
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jackie Robinson, Minnie Miñoso murals defaced with racial slurs and swastikas in Miami
Two murals in Miami, depicting two of baseball's heroes, were defaced with racial slurs and swastikas. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Murals honoring groundbreaking MLB Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso were defaced with racial slurs and swastikas in Miami this week. The Miami Police Department was notified of the crime on Monday and the department's special investigations unit is investigating the incident as a hate crime, an officer told The Athletic on Friday. Advertisement The graffiti consists of swastikas painted on both men's face, with the N-word also used twice on Robinson. The murals, which are located at Dorsey Park of Miami's historically black Overtown neighborhood, have since been covered up with wooden boards. Dorsey Park played host to several barnstorming Negro League teams in the 20th century. The artist behind the murals promised to restore them in a statement to The Athletic: 'This was an act of hate, but it will not define us,' said Kyle Holbrook, the artist who painted the mural in 2012 as part of the MLK Mural Project in partnership with local artists. 'This mural was born from a community's pride, history, and power. We will restore it — stronger, bolder, and with even more purpose. Black history is American history. And no spray paint can erase that truth.' U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), whose district includes Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, denounced the "vile act of hatred" in a statement Wednesday: 'This act of vandalism is not only an attack on a piece of public art—it is an attack on the dignity, pride, and cultural heritage of the Overtown community and the countless individuals who have fought and continue to fight for racial justice. 'We must treat this for what it is: a hate crime meant to instill fear and division. But we will not be intimidated. We will respond with unity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the preservation of our history.' Robinson and Miñoso both occupy pioneering roles in not just MLB history, but in the fight for civil rights. Robinson broke baseball's color with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, while Miñoso was the first Afro-Latino player in MLB and the first Black player in the history of the Chicago White Sox. Both men played in the Negro Leagues. Miñoso died in 2015 and was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
The 44 Percent: Dorsey Park hate crime, Crump and Crockett come to Miami Gardens
When I think of safe Black neighborhoods, I think about the comfort of community and how that instills value in the Black children that are being raised in them. And in many ways, that value is shown by ensuring they see themselves in their own neighborhoods, be it through after school programs or murals intended to reflect their community. The defacing of Black murals at Dorsey Park undermines that effort, but I'm certain community leaders will not be deterred. As artist Kyle Holbrook, who founded the MLK Mural Project to empower youth through art and education, told the Herald: 'This was an act of hate, but it will not define us. This mural was born from a community's pride, history, and power. We will restore it—stronger, bolder, and with even more purpose. Black history is American history. And no spray paint can erase that truth.' Black communities deserve to feel safe from the threat of racists acts, especially at a time when our history is being challenged, erased and ignored. INSIDE THE 305: Jackie Robinson mural defaced at Overtown park where Negro Leagues once played Two murals featuring Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso at Dorsey Park in Overtown were defaced in what police and community members are calling a hate crime. As crime reporter Milena Malaver reported: The defacement — the swastika and the word 'N------s' spray-painted onto the mural adorning the park walls — was reported to the Miami Police on Monday afternoon in what the community and police are calling a hate crime. The park is located at Northwest 17th Street and Northwest First Avenue. Along with Robinson, a Minnie Miñoso mural was also vandalized. Miñoso, a Black Cuban baseball player, played in the Negro Leagues before playing with the Chicago White Sox. His portrait had a swastika spray-painted on it. 'Scary times': Ben Crump and Rep. Jasmine Crockett speak to Miami Gardens residents At a townhall in Miami Gardens, U.S. Rep Jasmine Crockett and attorney Ben Crump urged residents to focus on local politics, build community and to stay politically engaged. As the Herald reported: And as national policies ripple through local communities Crockett said constituents should lean on their local elected officials. 'Yes, you may be in Florida, and lord knows we need to pray for y'all, but the bright spots are your local officials,' she said. OUTSIDE THE 305: Coco Gauff advances to French Open final Delray Beach resident Coco Gauff advances to the French Open final after defeating Loïs Boisson 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday. Gauff's win sets up a rematch of the 2023 U.S. Open against No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, the Associated Press reported. Then 19, Gauff beat Sabalenka, claiming her first major trophy. Historian, activist Marvin Dunn to talk race at FAMU Marvin Dunn, a historian and former Florida International University professor, is taking his 'Teach the Truth' tour to FAMU in the wake of its controversial president selection, Marva Johnson, who has ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The event will take place Monday, June 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Rudy Hubbard Way and Althea Gibson Way across the street from the FAMU Residential Towers. It will also be streamed live on Instagram at @ More recently, Dunn has held talks on FIU's campus at what he has dubbed the 'Black History Learning Tree,' teaching the state's Black history to those who will listen. HIGH CULTURE: BET Awards and Amerie performs on NPR's Tiny Desk D.C. songbird Amerie's NPR's Tiny Desk performance will debut Friday on its YouTube channel, coinciding with the outlet's celebration of Black Music Month. The monthlong celebration also includes an earlier than normal BET Awards hosted by Kevin Hart, airing Monday. Black judge's law office is now an art gallery In late March, we wrote about the law offices of the late Lawson E. Thomas being converted into an art gallery. The exhibit, 'Sepia Vernacular: Overtown's Photographic Journey, 1920–1950,' features photographs showcasing Overtown's streetscape from the 1920s to 1950s and is now open to the public. The Overtown CRA is hosting an opening event at 6 p.m. today at the offices located at 1021 NW Second Ave., Miami. Where does 'The 44 Percent' name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter's title.
Black America Web
2 days ago
- General
- Black America Web
Black History Mural In Miami Defaced With Swastikas And Racist Graffiti
Source: Art Wager / Getty In today's episode of Attack Of The Fragile Vandals , a Black history mural at Dorsey Park in Miami's Overtown neighborhood has been defaced with swastikas, racial slurs and other racist graffiti, likely put there by a person (or persons) who gets their Confederate flag under garments in a bunch at the sight of Black culture being commemorated. (And, look, I'm not saying they're probably Trump supporters, but they're probably yuge fans of authoritarian governments that lie about 'white genocide' while trying to ban all teachings on anti-Black systemic racism into 'woke' oblivion.) From CBS News: The vandalism appeared on a section of the mural at NW 17th St. and NW 1st Ave., part of a historic public art effort led by the MLK Mural Project, Urgent Inc., and Touching Miami with Love. Painted in 2012, the mural was created to honor the cultural legacy of Dorsey Park, once home to the Negro Leagues' Ethiopian Clowns. Artist and community organizer Kyle Holbrook, who founded the MLK Mural Project, led the effort to commemorate African American icons and local history. The mural features figures such as Jackie Robinson, whose image was among those defaced. 'This was an act of hate, but it will not define us,' Holbrook said. 'This mural was born from a community's pride, history, and power. We will restore it—stronger, bolder, and with even more purpose. Black history is American history. And no spray paint can erase that truth.' It's starting to feel like a trend, honestly. Last week, in Texas — arguably the only state that rivals Florida when it comes to labeling non-whitewashed Black history 'woke' in order to justify banning it just to placate white nationalism and white fragility — a historical marker in downtown Dallas that tells the story of a Black man, Allen Brooks, who was lynched by a white mob in 1910, was cut down at the base and destroyed by unkown vandals. The week before that, a white man in Beachwood, Ohio, was accused of checking out 100 books on Black, Jewish and LGBTQ studies and burning them all on camera. Hell, when it comes down to it, the destruction of Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., was done by the current administration in an effort to appease the same white and eternally fragile people who are likely out here vandalizing Black historical renderings out of pure racial resentment. As for the mural at Dorsey, CBS reports that 'local leaders, artists and residents are organizing efforts to restore and expand the mural, using the incident as a call for unity,' and they're asking community members to participate in the effort. Hopefully, the mural will be restored. Hopefully, all of the defaced Black historical art across the nation will be as well. As for the hatred and bigotry that causes the vandalism — well, that's just America making itself great again , unfortunately. SEE ALSO: White Florida Man Says He Would Have Shot Black Girl Who Rang His Doorbell Karens, Klans And Caucasian Tears: The Grift Of Racism In America SEE ALSO Black History Mural In Miami Defaced With Swastikas And Racist Graffiti was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh artist speaks out after second mural vandalized across the country
Pittsburgh artist Kyle Holbrook, most recently known for his artwork on the Tree of Life Synagogue, is now experiencing vandalism on his artwork in other parts of the country. 'When I went to prime the mural, it had the n-word and had a swastika,' said Holbrook, who is the Executive Artist for the MLK Mural Project. Holbrook has over 300 pieces of art in Pittsburgh. After the recent attacks on his murals in Oakland, California, and Miami, Florida, he wants people to know the mission of this work. 'I choose to do art that speaks to certain issues and draws attention and memorializes, such as the Negro League's mural. It's memorializing a lost, at the time, part of American History,' said Holbrook The vandalism showed antisemitic symbols and racial slurs over his works about autism and black athletes. Holbrook said, 'For this to happen to me with two different murals within two weeks…this is something that's going on in society.' He hopes his artwork will remain safe as he continues his mission for peace. 'I don't want people to be scared. It's important to show strength,' said Holbrook. He was able to go to Oakland to fix his work and plans to go to Miami to do the same. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
A can of spray paint and a hateful act can't erase Miami's shared Black history
They won't succeed. Whoever recently spray-painted sickening racist and antisemitic graffiti on a Miami mural celebrating African-American history tried to blot out our shared history with one act of hate and a can of paint. This community won't let them. Already, local leaders are calling for unity and strength and planning to make the mural in Miami's historic Overtown neighborhood more visually powerful. That's important: Standing up to hatred is the fitting and necessary response, and we hope to see more leaders with influence in South Florida join in publicly. We will be much stronger if we fight with a united front. 'This mural was born from a community's pride, history, and power,' said Kyle Holbrook, the founder of the MLK Mural Project, as reported by NBC 6. 'We will restore it — stronger, bolder and with even more purpose. Black history is American history.' The artwork features local and national figures of Black excellence such as baseball great Jackie Robinson, whose image was among those defaced. Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color line in 1947, becoming a symbol of the civil rights movement in the process. Painted on the fences surrounding Dorsey Park in 2012, the public art project — led by the MLK Mural Project, Urgent Inc. and Touching Miami with Love — was also created to honor the cultural legacy of the park, which was once home to the Negro Leagues' Ethiopian Clowns. The park was named after D.A. Dorsey, considered to be the first African-American millionaire in Miami. The vandalism apparently occurred Sunday or Monday. By Tuesday, the slurs were covered by tarps, which seems like a good idea. Why give the perpetrators any more air time for their foul work? Daniella Pierre, president of the Miami-Dade branch of the NAACP, told NBC 6 she is asking for more police presence in the neighborhood and, potentially, for cameras to be posted. 'We will not tolerate hatred, bigotry or any defacing to any of the murals in our community. We're here today to call for change. We're here today to call for unity. But we're also here today to call for greater protection,' she said at a news conference about the vandalism, which was on a section of the mural at NW 17th St. and NW 1st Ave. South Florida knows far too well about hatred. Since two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington, D.C. were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum on May 21, police in our community have been on high alert. And that was before the attack in Colorado where a suspect threw Molotov cocktails at people rallying for Israeli hostages. South Florida has one of the largest Jewish communities in the nation. As the Miami Herald Editorial Board pointed out after the shooting in D.C., we have almost become accustomed to hate crimes in this country, an awful thing to contemplate. This is not something we should get used to, even though the language of hate — name-calling and anger and vilifying the 'other' — runs rampant through our politics. The defacement of the Overtown mural isn't just vandalism. It's an attack on who we are and who we want to be. The perpetrators must be caught, but our efforts can't stop there. This is a symptom of a problem we have in this community Miami needs to fight hate with everything we have. Click here to send the letter.
