It was a packed house at the UGA Chapel this afternoon as former long-time Atlanta news anchor Monica Pearson delivered the 2019 Holmes-Hunter lecture.
“We’ve got to start talking to each other,” Pearson said. “Black people have got to say to white people when they say things that hurt them, ‘We’re friends, can I pull you aside and just tell you why that was painful?’ and we don’t do that. And then for the white person don’t get your hair up on your back and start defending. Listen.”
Pearson was the first African American to anchor an Atlanta-area evening newscast.
The lecture has been held annually at UGA since 1985. It is in honor of the first African-American students to attend the university, Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes. Mr. Holmes widow Marilyn was in the audience.
“Monica is spectacular, I’ve known here for a long time.” Always, been impressed with things she has to say because she’s very genuine and she will tell anybody what is on her mind and this was no exception.”
UGA Students Lindsay Stanley and Madison Abrams appreciated the powerful tone of the speech.
“I grew up watching Monica Pearson on television since I was a little girl, so I appreciate her coming out and taking the time to,” Stanley said. “And I just feel like this is a call to action for all of us to be active and engaged.”
Fellow bulldog Abrams felt the speech was bold.
“I feel like she said a lot of things that a lot of people have been feeling, but they really didn’t have the language to express or they were afraid to say.”
Dozens of Clarke County students were invited to attend the lecture as well.
The lecture is sponsored by the Office of the President.
