Born a Crime is a memoir written by South African comedian and television host, Trevor Noah. In the book, Trevor reflects on the lessons his mother, Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, taught him, including her invaluable advice on life. Similarly, we all have someone in our lives who have given us advice that has helped shape our values and beliefs. The advice we receive can have a significant impact on who we become and the choices we make. Let's explore how Trevor's mother's advice impacted him and how the advice of a loved one impacted me.
For Trevor, the advice his mother gave him about defining himself and the importance of education benefitted him the most. Growing up as a mixed-race child during apartheid, Trevor faced constant discrimination and racism, which could have had a devastating effect on his self-esteem and identity. Patricia knew that he needed to create his own identity and instilled in him the importance of education, which helped him to develop a strong sense of self and achieve success despite facing numerous obstacles and challenges. "I was neither white nor black nor mixed. I was a boy in a girl's world, and I was determined to survive" (Noah 720). Similarly, the advice I received from my parents about the importance of education has benefitted me the most. They always encouraged me to work hard and
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Patricia was a guiding force in Trevor's life, instilling in him values that helped him overcome adversity and achieve success. The lessons she taught him helped shape his identity and gave him the tools to navigate a world that was often hostile to people of mixed race. Likewise, the advice I received from my loved ones shows how gave me about enjoying life while I have it has helped me appreciate the time I have with my loved ones and to make the most of every opportunity. It shows that they care about my happiness and want me to live a fulfilling
In the book, Trevor shows us this by telling us about the classes in his school. “‘Yeah, but that class is… those kids are gonna hold you back. You want to be in the smart class’” (59). This quote is Trevor’s teacher telling him that he should be in A class which is full of white kids and that the B class which is made up of black kids will hold him back. This discrimination in schools is what brings communities and individuals.
In the book Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, his childhood is mostly described as growing up with his mom and with a dad that he would see once in a while. As read in the book Trevor’s mom Patricia was willing to raise Noah by herself but Trevor’s dad Robert was not keen on knowing that he had a child in the world without raising them. Trevor describes how after his dad found out about him they formed a kind of a family not a realistic one of course because of apartheid. Trevor gives us an insight that just having him was a 'proof of their criminality’(Noah 27).
Even as a young child, Trevor experienced this type of conflict, but his mom's courage to leave the house and go onto the streets for work so she could provide for her family showed an incredible amount of bravery and left a lasting impression on Trevor. This is just one example that shows the importance of the themes of courage and perseverance in the
Fatima Alshahari Professor Bentley English 102 26 February 2023 The Unlawful Act: Rhetorical Strategies in “Born a Crime: stories from childhood” Can a child be proof of their parent’s criminality? Trevor Noah is a mixed-race child, born to a South African mother and Swiss-German father. He was born during Apartheid, a time when one of the worst crimes a person could commit is to fall in love with a person of a different race. Noah’s mother, Patrica Nombuyiselo Noah, gave birth to him on February 20, 1984.
Mine have simply taught me to appreciate the value in education. Since early childhood, they’ve strongly urged me to prioritize school above all else and to learn from their mistakes, not wanting me to struggle as they did. My father has made me realize the importance in pursuing a higher education—it’s the best way to truly be successful and be able to give my family the life they deserve. From my mother I’ve learned the significance of pursuing a career that I will truly enjoy, since it is presumably what I will spend the rest of my life doing. Thanks to my parents, not only have I been university-bound since I was a toddler, but I’ve also genuinely enjoyed learning.
He started to run and buy food for others and make a profit. He would “make so much money that he(I) could buy his(my) lunch using other kids’ money”(Noah, pg 140). He would also find his way into friendships using humor rather than similarities. He understood that “enough though he(I) didn’t belong to one group, he(I) could be a part of any group that was laughing”(Noah, pg 141). Trevor found a second way to use his intersectionality, he used his personality and ability to share jokes and make others laugh to make friends.
This is because in my family no one has a degree except my father. My father was a teacher, and always encourages me and my brothers to get a career. For my brothers, having a career is very hard, and they believe that school is very difficult to concentrate. Now I am sure that my father will be very proud of me one day after getting my degree. Another example is that my niece Karen sees me as a role model.
Now that I am older, I understand the hard work my parents do in order to make ends meet. Through my experience, I have become a resilient individual. I have gained many experiences that have taught me the qualities of being determined and unafraid. When I reflect on myself about my journey to a good education, I focus on the sacrifices my family
Trevor’s life brings upon many obstacles that he must overcome. One of the main obstacles he faces is his identity crisis. In chapter four, Trevor doesn’t get punished as bad as the rest of the family because he was white. But in chapter nine, Trevor is pelted with mulberries and called slurs because he is black. In chapter seventeen, Trevor finds himslef the odd one out when is jail.
Sophie Surguladze 12/15/2022 Ms. Ippolito Period 8 He Who Has a Will Those in authority weaponize division to maintain their own power. In turn, those under their oppression find individual ways to take back stability and choice in life. In the memoir, Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah, division can be found throughout all aspects of his life.
Unfortunately due to that he experienced a hard childhood and had to grow up in hiding most of the time or else he and his mother would get in trouble with the law. It was no secret that Trevor knew he was born a crime but he nevertheless chose to live with it and prove people wrong. Why should his skin color define his life? Knowing someone is born a crime causes a struggle and some hardships that go along with that.
Both flexibility and the ability to overcome pain has helped Trevor and should also help you through difficult times in your life. For example, Trevor's father, if Trevor had not learned both of his lessons and not met his father he may had regretted his decision to not meet his father later on in life. Having the flexibility and overcoming fear or pain of someone who you may not know want you in their life is difficult. Trevor says this after meeting his father “I walked out of his house that day one inch taller… He chose to have me in his life.
Trevor talks a lot about him growing up in poverty, eating
My family’s past experiences also teach me how to live my life the best way possible. For example, my parents did not finish college, so they were not able to obtain lucrative careers. Not finishing or not even going to college can take a toll on your life. If my parents finished college our life would have been more successful financially. Although my parents did not have the best money,