A recent incident has brought renewed attention to the history of racial injustice in Miami-Dade County, where a historical marker commemorating the life and death of Arthur Lee McDuffie was found damaged. McDuffie, a Black insurance agent, was beaten by white Miami-Dade police officers after a traffic stop in 1979 and later died from his injuries, sparking violent protests in the city. According to Local 10, the marker was erected in February at North Miami Avenue and 38th Street; it was later found broken and leaning against a nearby building.

Although the initial fears of the local residents pointed towards vandalism, officials from the Miami-Dade County Public Works suspect it was struck by a vehicle, likely a truck, given its proximity to the road, and not an intentional act of malice, the destruction of the marker has caused a stir among those who understand its significance in the context of local history and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. 

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Commissioners, civil rights activists, and McDuffie's children, who were just toddlers at the time of their father's death, were present at the unveiling of the marker earlier this year. "With the unveiling of the Arthur Lee McDuffie State Historical Marker, we are given an opportunity to recognize Mr. McDuffie and the life he led here in Miami — to remind us that he was more than just a flashpoint in Miami’s history," Historic Preservation Chief Sarah Cody said in a press release at the time, as reported by the Miami New Times.

The destruction and subsequent restoration of the McDuffie marker raises questions about the preservation of history and the respect due to the memory of those subjected to racial violence; county officials are currently evaluating how to repair and possibly relocate the structure to prevent future incidents, ensuring that the legacy of Arthur Lee McDuffie, and the brutal injustices he suffered, are not forgotten or repeated as the community approaches the 45th anniversary of his death. Efforts to restore the marker have already begun.