What is born a crime about?

What is Born a Crime About?

Trevor Noah’s book "Born a Crime" is a memoir that narrates his experiences growing up in South Africa during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The book provides a unique perspective on life in apartheid-era South Africa, and how it affects the author and his relationships.

Background

In 1991, just before Noah was born, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after spending 27 years behind bars for his fight against apartheid. Two years later, apartheid came to an end, but the legacy of the policy continued to have a significant impact on the country and its people.

Noah grew up in Johannesburg, which was a tumultuous place during this period. Poverty, crime, and police brutality were rampant, and the author recounts many encounters with these issues throughout the book.

The Origins of the Book’s Title

The title "Born a Crime" refers to the fact that Noah was born to a black South African mother and a Swiss-German father, making him "born out of wedlock" at a time when such births were considered taboo. This is because apartheid era laws prohibited relationships between white and black people, making Noah’s parentage illegitimate from the government’s perspective. The title is also symbolic of the societal norms that Noah grew up with and the challenges he faced because of his mixed heritage.

Key Events and Characters

The book is a collection of vignettes and stories that illustrate Noah’s childhood and young adult experiences. Some key events and characters include:

• Noah’s relationship with his grandfather, who taught him how to navigate apartheid and become a more confident person
• The arrest and assault of his mother for not being with a legal partner
• His early years at a whites-only school, where he was ridiculed for being black and his French language skills
• Meeting his father for the first time, which was a complex and emotional experience for the author

Themes

Throughout the book, Noah explores various themes that were relevant to his life growing up under apartheid. These include:

• Racism and prejudice: Noah was often subjected to racism and prejudice due to his mixed heritage, which made it difficult for him to connect with either white or black communities
• Growing up poor: Noah recounts many experiences with poverty and the challenges it brought to his family, including finding food and money
• Resilience: Despite the hardships he faced, Noah and his mother found ways to adapt and survive, showcasing their strength and determination

What is Not Included

It’s important to note that "Born a Crime" is a memoir, and as such, it only provides one perspective on a complex issue. Not all people who grew up under apartheid share the same experiences as Noah, and this book should not be considered a comprehensive or definitive history of the period.

Impact and Reviews

"Born a Crime" was a critical and commercial success, earning rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The book won numerous awards, including the AN Post Irish Book Award, the South Bank Sky Arts Award, and the Dolman Best Book Award. The book was also named one of the best books of 2016 by publications such as The New York Times and The Economist.

Table: Award Wins

Conclusion

"Born a Crime" is a powerful and emotional memoir that provides a unique perspective on growing up in apartheid-era South Africa. Through his experiences, Trevor Noah highlights the challenges of living under such a rigid and discriminatory system, but also the strength and resilience of those who lived through it.