Final answer:
The underlined word 'crucial' in Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech refers to something 'absolutely necessary,' highlighting the importance of addressing oppression and violence nonviolently.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Martin Luther King Jr.'s Nobel Prize acceptance speech in 1964, he uses the word 'crucial' to signify something of great importance or something that is absolutely necessary. When King references 'the crucial political and moral question of our time,' he is underlining the essential nature of addressing the challenge of overcoming oppression and violence. This is particularly vital because he is advocating for a society where issues are resolved without resorting to the very evils they seek to eliminate. Kings' commitment to nonviolence played a central role in both the Civil Rights Movement and his leadership within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). His strategy of peaceful protest was inspired by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and was crucial in advancing social justice without the use of force. The approach of nonviolent resistance included tactics such as rallies, sit-ins, marches, petitions, and boycotts, showcasing that political influence and major reforms could be achieved without violence.