Born a Crime
Trevor Noah’s riveting journey from Apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- Childhood under Apartheid
- The absurdities of racial classification
- Trevor’s close relationship with his mother
- The struggles of a mixed-race child
- Importance of language and its role in Trevor’s life
- Life in the townships and suburbs of Johannesburg
- Trevor’s early hustles and scrapes with the law
key point 1 of 7
Childhood under Apartheid
Trevor Noah’s childhood under Apartheid was marked by racial segregation and systemic discrimination. As a child born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father, his very existence was a crime according to the Apartheid laws. He was classified as ‘Coloured,’ a term used to refer to people of mixed race. This racial classification determined every aspect of his life, from where he could live, to what schools he could attend, and even who he could legally interact with. He was kept indoors by his mother most of the time to hide his biracial identity, as the government could take him away if they found out about his mixed parentage…Read&Listen More
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The absurdities of racial classification
In ‘Born a Crime’, the perspective on the absurdities of racial classification is quite profound. It stems from the author’s personal experiences growing up in South Africa during the apartheid era. The author was born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father, a union that was illegal at the time and punishable by five years in prison. This makes him a direct product of the system’s absurdity, and he notes the ridiculousness of being considered a crime at birth due to his racial classification. He was, quite literally, born a crime…Read&Listen More
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Trevor’s close relationship with his mother
The relationship between Trevor and his mother Patricia is one of the central points in the narrative. She is portrayed as a strong and determined woman, who raised Trevor amidst the challenging circumstances of apartheid South Africa. She was not just a mother, but also a teacher and a guide to Trevor. She instilled in him the importance of education and knowledge, asserting that it was the key to freedom and empowerment. Despite their poverty, she ensured Trevor got the best education possible, even if it meant making sacrifices and navigating through dangerous neighborhoods…Read&Listen More
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The struggles of a mixed-race child
In ‘Born a Crime,’ the struggle of a mixed-race child is depicted vividly. The narrative underscores the convoluted aspects of race and identity in apartheid-era South Africa. The protagonist, Noah, being the offspring of a black African mother and a white European father, inhabits a precarious social position. He is ‘colored’ by the standards of apartheid, a category that encapsulates those who do not fit neatly into the dichotomous racial classifications of ‘black’ or ‘white’. This intermediate status is fraught with numerous challenges, as he finds himself ostracized and alienated from both communities. His complex racial identity prevents him from fully integrating into either racial group, leading to a profound sense of isolation and displacement…Read&Listen More
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Importance of language and its role in Trevor’s life
The importance of language in Trevor Noah’s life cannot be overstated. Language, for him, wasn’t merely a means of communication, but a lifeline to navigating various socio-cultural environments that he found himself in, growing up in the complex apartheid-era South Africa. As a biracial child of a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father, he was a living proof of an illegal act (‘Born a crime’) and had to constantly shift his identity to fit in, which he did often through language. He learned several languages, including English, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans, and others, which helped him bridge racial, ethnic, and social divisions, and foster a sense of belonging with different communities…Read&Listen More
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Life in the townships and suburbs of Johannesburg
Life in the townships and suburbs of Johannesburg, as depicted in the book, is a vivid portrayal of the stark contrasts that exist in post-apartheid South Africa. The townships are teeming with life, filled with people, street vendors, kids playing soccer in the streets, and music blaring from every corner. Despite the overcrowded conditions, poverty, and crime, there is a strong sense of community, resilience, and vibrancy. The daily hustle and bustle, the sharing of stories and jokes, and the community gatherings for celebrations or funerals are integral parts of township life…Read&Listen More
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Trevor’s early hustles and scrapes with the law
Trevor Noah’s early life was marked by a series of hustles and scrapes with the law, which were shaped by his unique upbringing under apartheid in South Africa. As a mixed-race child, he was born a crime, which greatly affected his childhood and early adult life. He had to navigate through a society where his very existence was considered illegal. To survive, he developed shrewd hustling skills from an early age, dealing with the underground economy and becoming involved in different forms of petty crime…Read&Listen More