"Don't let people put labels on you, and don't put them on yourself. Sometimes a label can kill you." (qtd.Malcolm X) These words were spoken by Malcolm X, who fought for the civil rights of African Americans. The irony of all this is that his very quote was proven by the way he himself was murdered. Malcolm X himself predicted his own death because he knew his beliefs were controversial, but what was so different about his life? How were his thoughts and beliefs so different that it led to his death? Malcolm Little was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, and grew up listening to his father Earl Little, a Baptist preacher from Georgia, and the president of the local chapter of the Universal Negro Improvement Association. An organization that urged blacks to better themselves. He often reminded his children of the pride of being black. Malcolm's mother, Louise Little, was highly educated and taught her children to read and write. Later in the year the family moved to Lancing, Michigan. In Michigan is WHERE Malcolm's father died, it was rumored that he was killed by the Black Legion, a local white supremacist group. After many years Malcolm's mother was declared insane and Malcolm was placed in several foster families. Malcolm X was a very intelligent child and loved school. One day he told one of his favorite teachers that he wanted to become a lawyer. Crushing Malcolm's dreams, the teacher told him, "That's not a realistic goal for a Negro." (Alex Haley). Malcolm felt overwhelmed, changed his mind, and decided to move to Boston. Later in life he moved to New York where he became a hustler and was arrested for theft. Once Malcolm entered prison, his life changed and so did his beliefs. Malcolm X's early beliefs were developed in prison. While in prison he read and studied Islam. He converted and his brother Reginald introduced him to the Nation of Islam. In prison Malcolm X wrote to Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. After being released from prison, Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam and began speaking out for African Americans. Malcolm and the Nation of Islam believed that blacks should be separated from whites and that no matter what, they should fight for their freedom, even if that meant violently. "There is no peaceful revolution.