by Gina Yang ‘24
Dr. Susan Reverby, a historian and professor at Wellesley College, was a guest speaker for the 3rd annual Gray Colloquium, which was held on January 12. Dr. Reverby offered a unique opportunity for the St. Mark’s community to examine the complex historical narratives of various conspiracy theories and their repercussions on society. Dr. Reverby’s research into the unethical medical experiments conducted by the U.S. government brought new insights to this year’s Gray Colloquium whose theme for 2022-2023 is “Conspiracies and Consequences.” Dr. Reverby reminded students of the crucial role that history plays in shaping our understanding of the world and the importance of critically engaging with the information presented to us.
Dr. Reverby began her lecture by examining one of the most infamous medical conspiracies in American history: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study. The study was conducted to observe the natural progression of untreated syphilis in African American men over the course of 40 years and involved denying subjects of the study access to available treatments, including penicillin. The study was not only unethical but also failed to yield any significant scientific findings while causing immeasurable harm to the study participants and their families. Dr. Reverby contextualized the study within the broader history of systemic racism and the ways in which medical professionals have exploited vulnerable populations for their own gain.
Dr. Reverby’s research explored the complex societal factors that allowed the Tuskegee Syphilis Study to occur. Her work highlights the role of eugenics, a widely accepted pseudo-scientific theory at the time, in shaping public health policy and promoting racist attitudes towards African Americans. She also argues that the study was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of marginalized groups being exploited for medical experimentation, which still goes on to this day.
Throughout her research, Dr. Reverby also highlights the efforts made by the study participants and their families to seek justice and expose the unethical nature of the study. She argues that the legacy of the study extends beyond its immediate consequences and continues to impact African American communities by diminishing their trust in the medical establishment.
Dr. Reverby’s research of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study offers a powerful example of the consequences of medical conspiracies and the need for the historical reexamination of such events. In her book, “Tuskegee’s Truth: Rethinking the Tuskegee Syphilis Study,” Dr. Reverby challenges the widely accepted narrative surrounding the study and sheds light on the ways in which it was not just a product of individual moral failings but also a reflection of the broader societal attitudes towards race and public health.
Dr. Reverby then moved on to discuss her research into the “Guatemala Syphilis Study,” a similarly unethical medical experiment in which U.S. researchers infected Guatemalan prisoners, soldiers, and mental patients with syphilis without their knowledge or consent. Dr. Reverby’s discovery of the study’s existence in 2010 sparked international outrage and led to a formal apology from the U.S. government.
Throughout her presentation, Dr. Reverby emphasized the importance of acknowledging the harm caused by these conspiracies and working to rectify the damage done. She emphasized that conspiracy theories are often used as a means of deflecting responsibility and obfuscating the truth. She stresses that it is crucial to approach historical events with a critical eye and a commitment to truth-seeking.
The presentation was followed by a Q&A session, during which the audience had the opportunity to engage with Dr. Reverby. The audience was able to ask questions about her research and her perspectives on the broader implications of these historical events. The session highlighted the ways in which conspiracy theories can be both harmful and empowering, underscoring the importance of critically evaluating the information presented to us in the media.
The Gray Colloquium on Dr. Susan Reverby was a thought-provoking and informative event that challenged the St. Mark’s community to consider the complex historical narratives behind conspiracy theories and the impact they have on society. Dr. Reverby’s work is a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning a blind eye to unethical behavior and the necessity of reckoning with the past to create a more just and equitable future. By shedding light on the historical roots of medical conspiracies and their lasting impact, Dr. Reverby urges us to confront uncomfortable truths and take action to prevent similar abuses of power from occurring in the future.
This year’s Gray Colloquium was successful thanks to the efforts of the hard-working staff and Ms. Sarah McCann, who worked as a Gray Colloquium Coordinator. The next presentation in the Gray Colloquium will take place on Thursday, February 23rd, in the Putnam Family Arts Center’s Class of 1945 hall. The visiting speaker will be Sarah Eagle Heart, a social justice storyteller, entrepreneur, and philanthropic leader.
You can read more about the upcoming Gray Colloquium speakers here:https://www.stmarksschool.org/academics/signature-programming/gray-colloquium/gray-colloquium-details