New documentary gives context to Stone Mountain Confederate monument's complicated history

January 17th, 2023

"Closer Look" program host Rose Scott leads a panel discussion at the Atlanta History Center about a new documentary that uncovers the history of Stone Mountain's confederate monument. (Photo credit: Kristian Weatherspoon)

The Atlanta History Center is working to explore and further conversations about the complex history of the largest confederate monument in the world.

The museum recently released a new documentary called “Monument: The Untold Story of Stone Mountain.”

Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look” is a recording of a panel discussion that followed the premiere of the documentary hosted by Rose Scott at the Atlanta History Center on Jan. 11.

First, Rose talks with Sheffield Hale, president and CEO of the Atlanta History Center, and Kristian Weatherspoon, executive producer of the documentary and vice president of digital storytelling at the Atlanta History Center.

“As you watch this film, maybe you see your own perspective, but you leave seeing one that you haven’t thought about or haven’t heard before,” explained Weatherspoon.

For part two of the conversation, Rose talks with Donna Barron, author and daughter of Roy Faulkner, chief carver of Stone Mountain; Dr. Cynthia Neal Spence, co-chair of sociology and anthropology at Spelman College; Gordon Jones, senior military historian and curator at Atlanta History Center; and Genesis Reddicks, Decatur-based social justice and contested monument activist.