“I’m going to give you everything I never had.” (72).

In Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, introduces the comedian’s childhood as a mixed child in South Africa by focusing on different parts of his past. This book address racism, poverty, and Apartheid which is mainly portrayed throughout the story. Trevor’s parents were a white Swiss-German father and a black Xhosa mother, so he navigates the complexities of being born as a “crime”. Trevor grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa during the Apartheid era, so he faced both social and legal challenges. Trevor is a smart and mischievous child, his strong-willed black mother taught him about how to stand up against injustice even though they are being discriminated against, and how she educated Trevor to overcome those unfair laws listed by the government that made the society segregated. Those small stories taught elucidation of bias against Apartheid and racism indeed grant readers a more profound understanding.

“The penalty for breaking them was five years in prison.” (Page 22)

On day 3, we learned about how to track complex thinking from the beginning of book and how it further connects to it later. The first central idea I have identified is that the government is making rules and went insane with the lengths trying to enforce these new laws. Causing limits on jobs for colored people, and at the beginning of page 5, it mentioned about how the government was forcing them or being racism due to their skin color. Then on page 22, it’s elaborating more on the government’s behavior towards them. This shows that nonfiction writers don’t usually present their ideas all at once, and it introduces the topic briefly at first then link back with more examples and explanations about it.

“She wanted me to be free, she gave me the tools to do it as well.” (Page 68)

The second central idea I have identified is that Trevor’s mom didn’t have a great childhood due to her skin color and racism occurring at the period. She told Trevor that she felt alone and felt like she didn’t belong to anyone. So, she wanted Trevor to feel love and have the courage to protect justice although he’s colored. She taught English as first language to Trevor, and other different language so he could protect himself and receive respect.  Since in South Africa, speaking English is the language of money and it’s the quickest way to bridge the race gap. Their house was also filled with books and bibles.

“There was no running water, no electricity, people lived in huts.” (Page 65)

“They’d never dealt with a white person face to face, ever.” (Page 5)

On day 7, we identified themes and social issues shown in the book. The theme that I have identified is that Apartheid and Racism made conflicts and hard living conditions, making people separated into different groups. They view white people specially and they get more resources than others. Such as quality education, more resources, better living conditions. However, some black families can’t even promise basic living conditions. Causing a serious social class hierarchy.

Apartheid — “Apartness”

“My father is a complete mystery.” (Page 107)

On day 5, I have identified a theme “Even when life is hard, you should look forward and keep on going” and provided quotes to support. We also researched about the parts where we don’t fully understand. I researched about what Apartheid represents and the rules behind it. Apartheid makes the society segregated, families are not allowed to live together because of their skin color. Like what Trevor has been through, he didn’t have any clear comprehension about his own father, because he was not even allowed to call his dad, “dad”.

In conclusion,  Born a Crime is an excellent book portraying about Racism, Poverty, Apartheid and how Trevor Noah a colored boy stand up towards unfairness and always choose justice.

Thank you for reading my blog, hope you enjoyed and if you like this book feel free to try it!

Works Cited

Poster: Canva

Quotes/Informations: Born a Crime

“Born a Crime Book Summary by Trevor Noah.” Shortform, www.shortform.com/summary/born-a-crime-summary-trevor-noah. Accessed 28 Jan. 2024.

“History of Apartheid – World’s Children’s Prize.” World’s Children’s Prize, worldschildrensprize.org/apartheidegalracism. Accessed 27 Jan. 2024.