The End

At the end of his letter, Dr. King confesses his disappointment that the clergymen did not commend “the Negro sit-inners and demonstrators” who had shown courage, discipline, and non-violence in their actions. He believes that the South will one day “recognize its real heroes,” who will be not only movement figureheads like James Meredith and Rosa Parks, but also the unnamed people who stood up to injustice to demanded personal dignity. He believes that these people are fighting not only for integration, but also for “what is best in the American dream and for the most sacred values in our Judeo-Christian heritage.” They are fighting to uncover the country’s true promise (185).

He then apologizes for the length of his letter, which he insists would have been shorter had he been in greater comfort than the Birmingham jail allows.

He also apologizes in advance in case he has said anything that “overstates the truth and indicates an unreasonable impatience,” insisting that he only errs from wanting to achieve the true depths of brotherhood. He hopes he can meet the clergymen in person soon enough, and hopes they join him in wishing that better times for individuals and the nation will soon come.

He signs the letter “Yours for the cause of Peace and Brotherhood” (185).