Nation Drum Major Instincts

Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I return to one of his most stirring sermons: The Drum Major Instinct. In it, King weaves together scripture, history, and current affairs to explore a deeply human tendency—the desire to be first, to stand out, to lead the parade. He calls this the “drum major instinct,” and warns that if left unchecked, it can lead to selfishness, materialism, and even war.

King’s biblical reference is the story of two disciples who asked to sit at Jesus’s right and left hand in his kingdom. Jesus responded that whoever wants to be first must become a servant. King expands this lesson to argue that the instinct to be out front—to be admired and exalted—is the root of many personal and national problems. It’s a message that feels especially urgent today.

Western governments often frame the international refugee and migration crises—whether in the Mediterranean Sea or at the U.S.-Mexico border—as matters of national security. But these are, at their core, humanitarian crises. They are also manifestations of the drum's primary instinct on a national scale: the impulse to put one’s own interests first, even at the expense of others.

King’s sermon challenges this mindset. He calls for service—not self-aggrandizement—as our primary moral calling. Yet history tells a different story. The expansion of Western and European powers was often driven by greed, cloaked in the language of missionary work or civilizing missions. The prosperity of one group was built on the exploitation of others. Christianity, despite its emphasis on service, has not always lived up to its own ideals.

As King put it:
“If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great, wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”

The relevance of King’s message endures. The human condition—our struggle with selfishness, pride, and power—is not easily tamed. Priests, psychologists, and philosophers have wrestled with it for centuries. And while the solution King offers is simple—serve others—it remains profoundly challenging for many, especially those in positions of political power.

As we honor Dr. King’s legacy, we must remember that no slogan, no border, no institution is immune to scrutiny. The instinct to be first must be tempered by the courage to serve. That is the challenge King left us. And it’s one we must continue to meet.