Classmates post:

What was most interesting about the article? Why did you find it interesting?

The biggest thing that I gained from reading this article was that racism, segregation, and poverty harmed not just the black community, but society as a whole. Until the early 1950s Cobb was the only black American with a Ph. D. in physical anthropology. “…Cobb has tended to dwell less on the concerns of anyone particular constituency, whether Black physicians or poor D.C. youth, but on an issue of crucial import to all: survival” (Scarupa 5). In today’s world, segregation, inequality, racism, etc., are still very much prevalent and there are so many cultures that experience this type of injustice. For example, I come from a Persian, Jewish background and my parents had to move to the United States after the Revolution occurred in Iran. When they got here, they had nothing with them, no money, no house, but they did have a Persian accent and a bit of a darker/ olive complexion- didn’t look like the average American or “white” person. Due to this, both my parents experienced a lot of bullying throughout their childhood and had to find different ways on how to survive in the world they were living in. Through hearing these stories at such a young age, it showed me how there are so many people in this world who experience unfair treatment and have had to live their lives with fear. As years have gone by, I do see a bit of evolution and change that has occurred within people’s perspectives, such as people being more open-minded to different cultures, women working, etc. 

• What were Dr. Cobb’s most important contributions to science? Why were they so important?

 One of Cobbs most notable articles was Race and Runners which emerged in 1936. He desired to deny the idea that Jesse Owens, a gold medalist in the 1936 Olympics, was superior because of African Americans innate physical skill that equated to a decreased intelligence. Cobb used numerous measures of different physical elements involved in running and jumping and showed that there were no significant differences due to race.  Cobb continued to exert his science to social issues, presenting how racism was harming African American health and therefore negatively affecting all American society. He instituted the Imhotep Conferences on Hospital Integration in 1957. This yearly conference strived to end hospital and medical school segregation and continued until 1964, when the Civil Rights Act was passed. Cobb also issued expert evidence to Congress on health care legislation, winding up in the passage of Medicare in 1965. The essence of Cobbs social activism was serving as President of the NAACP from 1976 to 1983. 

• Had you previously heard of Dr. Cobb, and if so, what is something new you learned about him? If not, why do you think that is the case?

Before completing this assignment, I have never heard of Dr. Cobb. To be honest, I am really not sure why I hadn’t known who he was, especially since he has made such an impact on our world. Without him, who knows if the African American communities would have had some of the same opportunities as others, even in today’s world. He allowed people, specifically African Americans to feel that they are able to achieve their dreams without any fear. During high school and middle school, I was in two history classes that both discussed racism and segregation and the people who made an impact on these issues, but I never was informed of Mr. Cobb. In Spring 2022, I am likely going to be taking a history course, so I am hoping that I will be able to learn more about people similar to Mr. Cobb who inspired so many around the world.