The prominent civil rights leader who advocated for armed self-defense was Malcolm X. A key figure in the civil rights movement during the 1960s, he initially rose to prominence as a spokesperson for the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X emphasized the right of African Americans to defend themselves against racial violence and systemic oppression. His advocacy for self-defense and empowerment was in stark contrast to the nonviolent approaches of other leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. His ideas continue to shape contemporary discussions on race, justice, and self-determination.