Born a Crime

1. Trevor Noah's birth was a crime under apartheid

I was born a crime.

Defying racial boundaries. Trevor Noah was born to a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father in South Africa during apartheid. At the time, interracial relationships were illegal, punishable by up to five years in prison. Noah's very existence was evidence of his parents' criminal act.

Living in secrecy. To avoid detection, Noah's family had to keep his identity hidden. He couldn't be seen in public with both parents simultaneously. His mother often had to pretend to be his maid when they were out together. This constant fear of discovery shaped Noah's early childhood and his understanding of race relations in South Africa.

2. Language as a tool for survival and connection

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

Multilingual upbringing. Trevor Noah's mother ensured he learned multiple languages from a young age, including English, Xhosa, Zulu, Tsonga, and Afrikaans. This linguistic versatility allowed Noah to navigate various social groups and situations.

Breaking barriers. Noah's ability to speak multiple languages became a powerful tool for connecting with people across racial and cultural divides. It allowed him to:

• Blend in with different groups
• Defuse potentially dangerous situations
• Gain acceptance in various communities
• Understand different perspectives

3. The power of education and resourcefulness in poverty

Being poor sucks, but it's great for the imagination.

Resourcefulness in scarcity. Despite living in poverty, Noah's mother prioritized his education. She found creative ways to provide learning opportunities:

• Collecting discarded books and magazines
• Using free resources from churches and libraries
• Encouraging reading and critical thinking

Overcoming limitations. Noah developed entrepreneurial skills from a young age, selling pirated CDs and DJing at parties. These experiences taught him:

• The value of hard work
• How to identify and seize opportunities
• The importance of adaptability in difficult circumstances

4. Domestic violence and the cycle of abuse

People say, 'Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime.' What they don't say is, 'And it would be nice if you gave him a fishing rod.'

Witnessing abuse. Noah's stepfather, Abel, was an alcoholic who became increasingly violent towards his mother. This experience exposed Noah to the harsh realities of domestic violence and its impact on families.

Systemic issues. The book highlights how societal structures and cultural norms often perpetuate cycles of abuse:

• Police dismissing domestic violence complaints
• Family members encouraging women to stay with abusive partners
• Lack of support systems for victims

5. Hustling and entrepreneurship in Alexandra township

The hood made me realize that crime succeeds because crime does the one thing the government doesn't do: crime cares.

Street smarts. Living in Alexandra township, Noah learned to navigate the informal economy and develop entrepreneurial skills:

• Selling pirated CDs and mixtapes
• DJing at local parties
• Buying and reselling goods

Understanding the system. Noah gained insights into the complex social dynamics of the township:

• The importance of reputation and respect
• The fine line between legitimate business and crime
• The role of community support in survival

6. The complexities of racial identity in post-apartheid South Africa

In any society built on institutionalized racism, race-mixing doesn't merely challenge the system as unjust, it reveals the system as unsustainable and incoherent.

Navigating multiple identities. As a mixed-race child, Noah struggled to fit into the rigid racial categories of South Africa:

• Too "white" for black communities
• Too "black" for white communities
• Not "colored" enough for colored communities

Challenging perceptions. Noah's experiences highlight the absurdity of racial classifications:

• Being mistaken for "colored" or "white" in different contexts
• Using his ambiguous appearance to his advantage
• Exposing the flaws in the apartheid system's racial categorizations

7. A mother's unconditional love and sacrifice

If my mother had one goal, it was to free my mind.

Defying expectations. Noah's mother, Patricia, was a strong-willed and independent woman who refused to conform to societal expectations:

• Having a child with a white man during apartheid
• Raising her son to question authority and think critically
• Pursuing education and career opportunities despite obstacles

Unwavering support. Patricia's love and determination shaped Noah's life:

• Encouraging his education and personal growth
• Protecting him from the harsh realities of apartheid
• Teaching him to navigate a world that often saw him as an outsider

Last updated: August 10, 2024