The 1963 debate between Malcolm X and James Baldwin was a powerful intellectual exchange that highlighted two distinct yet complementary perspectives on the Black freedom struggle in America. While both men were staunch critics of systemic racism and white supremacy, Malcolm X, representing the Nation of Islam, advocated for Black self-determination, separation from oppressive institutions, and a more radical approach to liberation. James Baldwin, a literary giant and social critic, emphasized the psychological and cultural dimensions of racism, arguing for moral and societal transformation through discourse and activism. Their debate captured the tension between nationalism and integrationism, revolution and reform, making it a critical moment in the history of Black thought.