Malcolm X had a difficult childhood, as his family faced racism and hostility from white communities. His father was killed and their home was burnt down by white supremacists. After struggling in school due to racism, Malcolm was incarcerated for several years, where he was introduced to the Nation of Islam. He rose to become the national spokesperson for the group, advocating for black empowerment and separation from white society. However, he later split from the Nation of Islam and adopted a more moderate philosophy of unity between all races. His former group assassinated him in 1965 for renouncing their teachings.