The critical stance that distinguished Martin Luther King, Jr. from Malcolm X in the Civil Rights Movement was their approach to achieving racial equality. King advocated for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience, influenced by Gandhi’s philosophy, aiming for harmony and integration. In contrast, Malcolm X promoted a more militant and sometimes confrontational stance, emphasizing self-defense and racial pride, particularly during his early years with the Nation of Islam. King sought to work within the existing political framework, while Malcolm X often criticized it, leading to significant ideological differences within the movement toward civil rights.