Tucson — Time has a way of healing even the deepest wounds, whether physical or the kind etched into memory—rekindled by a song, a scent, or a moment that brings the past rushing back.
Roll the clock back to 1990: African American students at the University of Arizona had no central place on campus to call their own. The library, cafeteria, Old Main, or a spot out on the quad were never adequate for students to gather, check in, and support one another.
Compounding the issue were tensions with campus police—none of whom were Black—shared former student Tim Starks. In response, students organized and presented a set of intentionally crafted demands.
Their requests included a full-time dean, a dedicated space to study, reflect, and relax, and a faculty member to teach African American Studies…