FROM
THE PRESIDENT
Welcome
Back
Being
a Drum Major for Justice
We
will begin this semester celebrating the life
and legacy of one of history's
greatest models of service to humanity, the
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. His
great sermon on "The Drum Major
Instinct" draws compelling and
bracing links between our health--both
personal and societal--and our ability
to govern and direct our very human
cravings for personal success and
recognition toward a higher purpose.
Dr.
King deploys the metaphor of the drum
major to illuminate a very human drive
that we each can easily recognize
in ourselves. The impulse to get out
in front and lead the parade is high-octane
fuel that propels us to strive for
greatness and high achievements in
this academic environment.
However,
Dr. King warned us of the harm that
comes when the drum major instinct
slips its moral moorings, when we're
so impressed, seduced, or enslaved
by the trappings of our success that
we grow blind to the needs or anguish
of others.
We're
all better off, Dr. King taught us,
when each of us goes the extra mile--mentoring
an underprivileged youngster, reaching
out to an isolated elderly neighbor,
volunteering at a food shelter, or
just helping a colleague get through
a personal crisis.
Dr.
King himself said he wanted to be
remembered not for his Nobel Peace
Prize or all the other accolades that
came his way, but rather for his commitment
to serve others.
I
believe that top honors, rankings,
prizes, and championships are important.
They are the markers, rewards, and
happy outcomes of dedicated pursuits
of excellence.
I
also believe that these many honors
are enriched by Penn's continuing
mission to link all of our enterprises
to the broader context and needs of
society.
Penn
is strong in large part because we
truly strive to practice what we teach.
We've worked with our neighbors to
make West Philadelphia a great community
in which to live, work, and raise
a family. We've worked with our community
to improve public education, and now
we have a new public school whose
students reflect the neighborhood's
energy and diversity. We try to do
justice to the complexities of issues
by facilitating full, free, and open
discussions. And our students see
community service not as an elective,
but rather as a critical path to moral
citizenship.
Being
a drum major for justice also involves
doing justice to one another.
We can argue a fine point. We can
challenge one another to improve on
one's performance. But let's not forget
that we are all part of the same community
that has the potential to accomplish
even greater things for humankind.
If
we can make a belated New Year's resolution,
let's try to follow our individual
drum major instincts judiciously,
while also honoring our mission to
serve others and pursue justice.
That's
a resolution worth keeping. Happy
New Year!
Almanac, Vol. 49, No. 17, January 14, 2003
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