I'm not sure if this is the correct way to create a new topic, but I wanted to share a link to a piece by MLK, Jr. that I think is relevant to one of our discussions on Thursday about figuring out how to be fulfilled in our careers as lawyers. (Credit goes to Prof. Harcourt for suggesting this piece last week--I did not find it on my own.)

https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/drum-major-instinct-sermon-delivered-ebenezer-baptist-church

I thought "The Drum Major Instinct" sermon above provided a very thought-provoking perspective because the premise is that we all have an inherent desire to obtain praise, recognition, and appreciation. We're conditioned to desire this "drum major instinct"--"a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first." Of course, this can be channeled and distorted to serve unethical purposes or lead one astray in an attempt to please others, ally oneself with "big-name" people, or try to feel a sense of belonging by creating a society of hierarchical exclusivity at the expense of others.

All of this speaks to the potential "evils" brought by "the drum major instinct," which I think relates a lot to the pressures that many of us feel in deciding how we "should" practice law--to gain recognition or praise with the hope that maybe this will make us fulfilled as lawyers, just as we've sought to gain recognition and be "the best" up to this point. However, MLK offers an interesting perspective in suggesting that this drum major instinct can instead be channeled to live a life where you can seek to pursue justice, truth, and a commitment to serving others. I find the idea that a desire to be "the best" or gain praise can be channeled to serve others quite interesting. It seems to beg the question of whether we're just doing "good" to be recognized, or we're doing "good" because we genuinely want to have a career where we can advance justice and truth. Alternatively, does this distinction really matter if the end product is a net positive impact on society? Put more simply, can genuine fulfillment be met through being praised/recognized/appreciated?

This may have turned in to a bit of rambling, but my main goal was to share the link above in case others are interested in reading it.

-- DeborahSparks - 16 Jan 2021

Thanks for linking the article! I think you bring up good points about how we are driven to be "successful," whatever that means. Your question intrigues me; I don't know the answer. I'd be inclined to say that the distinction may not matter to others; whether you are motivated by a desire to advance justice or merely for recognition, I don't suppose it would make much difference to me so long as your work actually results in a positive impact for the rest of us. (Perhaps I'm wrong here. Maybe we would be disturbed to know you don't really care about those you help.) In contrast, I'd surmise that whether your motivation to do good is intrinsic or extrinsic would matter to you. I'm not sure a person can truly be happy in their career if their only/primary motivation is extrinsic (e.g., admiration, money). Thus, I'd think that it is necessary to have a career that you find worthwhile for its own sake in order for you to find it fulfilling.

-- ArjanHeir - 19 Jan 2021

Thanks for creating the topic! I enjoyed reading the piece but it's also quite scary, particularly because I, and I'm sure many others, relate to it. For some reason, that instinct also seems to never be satisfied. I think fulfillment can be met through being praised if that is what one defines fulfillment to be. However, I also think that true fulfillment has to come from within yourself. Praises and recognition come and go, but what and how you think of and perceive yourself will always be there, and should not be, in my opinion, related to what others think of you.

-- ValeriaFlores - 22 Jan 2021