Malcolm X's youth was marked by racial violence and poverty, deeply influencing his activism. Experiences like the murder of his father and his mother's mental health struggles fostered a sense of injustice and anger toward systemic racism. His time in prison catalyzed his political awakening, leading him to the Nation of Islam. These formative experiences equipped him with a unique perspective on oppression and identity, allowing him to articulate a vision of empowerment and self-determination for African Americans which became central to his activism and teachings.