Price Mashaw Cobbs (Finding Aid)

Price Mashaw Cobbs

1928 -

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food: Fish

Favorite Time of Year: Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: Paris

Interview Length: 142 minutes

Interview Date(s): March 26, 2002

Interview Location(s): Pacific Management Systems, 3528 Sacramento St., San Francisco, California

Abstract

Price Cobbs discusses his mother's and father's backgrounds and goes in depth about their affects on his life. He explains why his parents relocated from Birmingham, Alabama to Los Angeles, California and then recalls his earliest memory from age three. Cobbs reminisces about a road trip his family took during his youth where he cites examples of how racism and segregation played into the journey. He gives the names of his brother and sister and briefly discusses them. Cobbs thinks back to his childhood in Los Angeles, remembering his neighborhood and thoughts about his upbringing. Next, Cobbs talks about the similarities in racism in the South and in Los Angeles during the 1920s and 1930s. Price Cobbs remembers the sights, smells and sounds of his childhood and then describes his educational background. Price Cobbs talks about some of the reasons he considered himself a curious child. He talks about the influence jazz music had on him as a youth. Then, Cobbs recalls teachers he had throughout his educational career. He goes in depth in explaining his relationships with his mother and father. Cobbs talks about choices he made in deciding which colleges to attend. Price Cobbs discusses his stint in the U.S. Army and then explains how he ended up in medical school. Price Cobbs starts the segment by commenting on his protected childhood environment. He then talks about his experience at medical school and goes into why he decided to pursue a career in psychiatry. He then explains his decision to work in San Francisco and his efforts to help the black community through his practice. Cobbs remembers influential medical schoolteachers and names medical schools he attended. Next, he recalls various forms of scrutiny he's faced throughout his life because of being black. Cobbs recounts professional choices he's made and talks about how he ended up deciding on having a private practice. He talks about the death of his first wife, and the hurdles he overcame as a widowed man with children. Cobbs talks about how he built his private practice's reputation and clientele from the ground up and then goes into detail about how patients' problems have changed over time. Price Cobbs then discusses management consulting, a new facet of his career. Price Cobbs discusses the inspiration for his book, 'Black Rage' and details the critical response to it. He then talks about his second book 'The Jesus Bag.' Cobbs explains how he became involved in corporate consulting and cites examples of situations he's faced when dealing the corporate clients. He reflects on behavioral trends in corporate America and then reveals his findings on successful corporate players. Price Cobbs discusses his consulting stint with the television comedy 'In Living Color.' He discusses blacks' advancements in corporate America and then calls for a critical discussion on race. Cobbs talks about his hopes and concerns for the black community and then outlines a plan for its advancement. Next, Cobb briefly discusses the megachurch trend. He then gives his opinion on prescription psychiatric drugs. Cobbs discusses his professional history and future plans, including his current book project. He then recalls his father's personality. Price Cobbs gives more details about his own personality and then considers his legacy.

47 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)