Blessed are the peacemakers

An Essay I wrote for my Intro to PR Class

Summarizing an article from a Public Relations Trade Journal
and giving analysis.

"Blessed are the peacemakers"
Chester Burger and Hugh M Culbertson
Public relations Quartly Vol. 52 Issue 3


This article reviewed the book “Blessed are the peace makers” by S. Jonathan Bass.
The book takes a look at the events that lead to Rev. Martin Luther King writing his famous
“Letter from Birmingham Jail”. The authors of this article take a look at the lessons that a public
relations practioner can learn from the activities that are covered in the book.

First, do positive things, rather than just talk, to counteract the negativity of attacks. Rev.
King and his group issued a statement on January. 18, 1963 calling for school integration in the
face of recently elected Gov. George Wallace’s call to resist implementation of the Brown vs.
Board of Education de-segregation ruling.Second, take the high ground in a symbolic way. Rev.
Earl Stallings was mentioned in the book as having gained positive mention in King’s letter. He
welcomed blacks into his church on easter Sunday. The third lesson is to cultivate a trusting
relationship with all factions in the client organization. Rev. Earl Stallings and Rev. Edmund
Ramage both welcomed blacks to there easter Sunday service. These ministers remained in their pulpits despite death threats and slashing of their tires.

Doing the right thing in the face of opposition within an organization one serves in is not
always easy for a public relations practioner to do. The pr rep could resign in the face of such
pressure. However, He or she can then have little impact on the organization served.

This was a very effective article. Rev. King was a true example of honesty and perseverance. A good example for a public relations career.