Biography

Born a Crime: 8 key ideas

by Trevor Noah

The core ideas of Born a Crime, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.

1. IDEA 1 OF 8

   His birth broke the law

   Trevor Noah was born in South Africa under apartheid to a Black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father.

   Relationships between races were illegal, so his very existence was a crime, and his parents had to hide him.

2. IDEA 2 OF 8

   His mother was fearless

   Noah describes his mother, Patricia, as strong, religious and independent.

   She raised him to think for himself and refused to accept limits. Noah shows that her courage and faith shaped the way he grew up.

3. IDEA 3 OF 8

   He did not fit any group

   As a mixed-race child, Noah did not fit neatly into any racial group.

   He often felt like an outsider. Noah explains that under the laws of that time his very existence was treated as a problem.

4. IDEA 4 OF 8

   Language helped him belong

   Noah learned many languages and used them to connect with different people.

   Speaking someone's language made him an insider. Noah shows that sharing a language can break down walls between people faster than many other things.

5. IDEA 5 OF 8

   He hustled to survive

   As a teenager, Noah sold pirated CDs and ran small businesses.

   He describes the creativity and risks of township life. Noah shows that, for many young people around him, creativity was a way to get by.

6. IDEA 6 OF 8

   Poverty shaped choices

   Noah describes how poverty limited opportunities in the townships.

   He reflects on how systems trap people. Noah shows that the lack of money could limit a person's choices before the person had even begun to choose.

7. IDEA 7 OF 8

   Violence entered his home

   Noah describes his abusive stepfather, Abel, who eventually shot his mother.

   She survived, and Noah reflects on domestic violence. Noah tells this painful story honestly and does not hide how deeply it affected him and his family.

8. IDEA 8 OF 8

   Humour helps survive

   Noah uses humour to tell painful stories.

   He shows how laughter can help people cope with hardship. Noah shows that being able to laugh at a hard story can make it easier to speak about openly.