University of Georgia trailblazer Charlayne Hunter-Gault joined New Yorker columnist Calvin Trillin over Zoom on Thursday, where the two discussed the origins of their decades-long friendship, Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmesâ integration process and the book Trillin wrote about their experience.
Amid the laughter and playful engagement between two old friends was a conversation of hardship, hatred and prejudice. The conversation was moderated by journalism professor and Charlayne Hunter-Gault distinguished writer in residence Valerie Boyd.
Trillinâs book, âAn Education in Georgia,â was originally published as multiple articles in the New Yorker. It breaks down the integration process at the university and contains exclusive interviews with Holmes, Hunter and their close family members and friends detailing their experiences. The New Yorker released its first entry of the book in 1963, the year Holmes and Hunter-Gault graduated from the university.