The correct answer is: But the political leaders consistently refused to engage in good-faith negotiation.
This line from King's letter is meant to be interpreted literally. All these other lines are figurative: The radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation, now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice, and it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say wait.
