Born a Crime Chapters 6&7

 Born a Crime Chapters 6-7

Quote 1:

“Catholic school is similar to apartheid in that it’s ruthlessly authoritarian, and its authority rests on a bunch of rules that don’t make sense. My mother grew up with these rules and she questioned them. When they didn’t hold up, she simply went around them” (Noah, 137). 

This quote stuck out to me because I found it interesting how Noah’s mother never abided by rules that she didn’t agree with. She would always find a way to change them, or get away with disobeying the rules. I think that’s interesting because she was pretty strict to Noah when it came to parenting. She would punish him for not following her rules. She did that because she knew the rules she had for him are only what’s best for him. She even allowed Noah to disobey rules that she also didn’t agree with. I like how she raised him to only do what you know is right. She took Noah’s side when he would get in trouble at school if the school was being unfair. I really respected that because a lot of parents always take the school's side, and they don’t even hear out their kid. She was a mother who only wanted what’s best for her child. 

Quote 2:

“I started crying. ‘Why are you stealing my dog?!’ I turned to Fufi and begged her. ‘Fufi, why are you doing this to me?! Why, Fufi?! Why?!’ I called her. I begged her to come. Fufi was deaf to my pleas. And everything else” (Noah, 151).

I chose this quote because I found it very odd that the kid just claimed Fufi to be his dog. He probably had never seen that dog before, but he still said it was his. It left Noah feeling very upset because he had an attachment to the dog. He took care of her and practically raised her. I definitely understand why he was so upset, especially since he thought he was going to lose his dog. I also found it interesting that Noah never found out that Fufi was deaf until the end of her life. If a dog is not coming to you when you call them, then I think that’s a pretty good reason to get them checked out at the vet. I also think it would get pretty exhausting to call the dog and her never come answer you. That’s why they were lucky to have Panther who would tell Fufi what to do all of the time. 

1. Trevor Noah argues that cellphones have changed us as human beings by taking away from our intelligence. He compares emojis to the old drawing of cavemen. He says that people only communicate with emojis, and that it is just as simple as how the cavemen used to communicate. When people text, they don’t communicate properly. They mostly use emojis which can be seen as simple and unintelligent. He also explains how we use cell phones so much that we start having poor posture. This is an example he used to explain why he thinks cellphones are taking us back to before humans evolved. We crouch down daily to look at our phones just like the apes used to walk around. I somewhat agree with Noah because I do think that humans are much more intelligent and capable of having intellectual conversations. I do think that texting and emojis “dumb down” our abilities to communicate properly. But, I also think that texting is just used as a fast and easy way to talk to people. It can be used for fun, and not to be serious. Overall, I do think that cellphones can take away from our intelligence as a whole. 

2. An event that illustrates Noah and his mother’s relationship is that when Noah was a kid, he loved to be chased. He thought it was fun, and that it was a game. He said that if no one was holding his arm tight in public, he would run off into traffic. He was a very naughty kid, and his mom had to think of creative ways to contain him. Another example is that his mom had them communicate through writing letters. She did not want to be interrupted during an argument, so she would write him letters. If Noah ever had anything he wanted to say back, he would have to write a letter to her. This was a way she could communicate with him and get her point across without any back talk or arguing. Lastly, Noah would always find loopholes and ways to bend the rules.  If he didn’t agree with something, he would find a way to get around it. This could be a reason why he thinks of his relationship with his mother as a cop and criminal. Criminals have to be smart about how they go about their crimes. Noah would be determined to get what he wanted even if it broke the rules. His mother would discipline him for it, but only if she thought he did something wrong. If she agreed that a rule wasn’t logical, she wouldn’t punish him. That’s why their relationship was like a criminal mastermind and a detective desperately trying to stop him. 

3. Trevor Noah learned from Fufi that “you do not own the things you love”. He thought of Fufi as his dog and no one else’s. That’s why he felt so betrayed when Fufi went out into another boy’s yard. He realized that Fufi was just trying to live her life. She wasn’t doing anything wrong. This experience helped Noah deal with feelings of betrayal and anger. He can now deal with it better because he knows people are free to do whatever they want. It can hurt people sometimes, but ultimately you have to move on. This taught him to not be possessive in relationships, which helps him not get too hurt if people betray him. I personally have never had a pet in my whole life so there isn’t any lesson I can learn from them. I would assume that I could most likely learn responsibility from them because I would have to take care of them. The pet would rely on me to feed them and keep them healthy. That would teach me a great deal of responsibility. 

Born a Crime Chapter 4&5

 Born a Crime Discussion 

Quote 1:

“I didn’t know what race was. My mother never referred to my dad as white or to me as mixed. So when the other kids in Soweto called me “white,” even though I was light brown, I just thought they had their colors mixed up” (Noah, 85).

I chose this quote because I find it really interesting that despite the scary times of apartheid Noah grew up in, he never really understood what race was at a young age. Race and racial inequality was very prevalent where he grew up, but his mother managed to undo those stereotypes in Noah’s mind. Because she never referred to anyone as a specific race, Noah wasn’t exposed to what race was and why it matters at an early age. I think that is good for him when he was a kid because it allows him to live his life without any preconceived notions about who he is and what he should do with his life. For black people at that time, they didn’t believe that they could succeed or thrive in this life. Noah’s mother made sure he never had that mindset, so he could grow up to become whatever he wanted to be. 

Quote 2:

“If we weren’t at school or work or church, we were out exploring. My mom’s attitude was “I chose you, kid. I brought you into this world, and I’m going to give you everything I never had.” She poured herself into me. She would find places for us to go where we didn’t have to spend money” (Noah, 112).

I chose this quote because I found it amazing how Noah’s mother made him her number one priority. I really liked how she recognizes that she is the one who chose to have Noah, so it is her duty to take care of him and give him a good life. I think this is very important because many parents neglect their kids, and don’t take care of them properly. Some parents think they only need to do the bare minimum, like providing food and a house. I believe parenting goes beyond that. Parents should strive to give their children a good and happy life, just like Noah’s mother did. She made many sacrifices for him to have a better life. It reminds me of my own parents who have made several sacrifices for me and my siblings. They did everything they could to give us a better life and the things they never had. This is a very important thing that I will forever be grateful for. This quote truly shows the love Noah’s mother has for him, and how she strives to be a good parent and give Noah the life he deserves. 

1. A creature that frightens me on earth is definitely spiders. I would not be able to handle a close up interaction with them even if they are really small. They really scare me and freak me out for some reason. They are definitely the scariest creatures/insects on earth for me. When Trevor Noah has an authentic Balinese experience, he is faced with snakes which he is scared of. He was watching a show where there were multiple snake performances. One snake bit its owner in front of the whole crowd which scared everyone a bit. Then, that same snake was left on stage without its owner which caused everyone to get scared and run out of the room. Luckily for Noah, he was in the back of the crowd so he could easily slip out while everyone else was facing lots of chaos. 

2. Noah felt like a Chameleon growing up because he could change people’s perception of him. Because he is mixed, the black people saw him as white, and the white people saw him as black. He used language to fit in with the different groups. He knew African languages like Zulu and Xhosa, so when he would talk to the black kids in those languages, they would feel as though Noah was one of them. He would speak whatever language others spoke to make them feel like he was one of them. He used this to his advantage to befriend the black kids at his school, and to also avoid things like getting mugged. 

3. The black tax is trying to fix the problems of the past generation. Noah describes it as a curse on black people because they keep trying to fix the mistakes of the past. Noah explains how instead of being able to move forward in life, people lose everything trying to build everyone back up. His mother told him to learn and become better from your past, and not to be upset about it. She says how life always has hardships and you should use those hardships to become better. She’d say “don’t be bitter”. She never complained about her past, instead she just let it go. She was determined to not let history repeat itself, and to give Noah the life she never had, one that was better than hers. When Noah says that they “were so rich with experience”, he means that he and his mom didn’t need money to go out and see the world. Sure they had little money, but they would always go on adventures and spend time together creating memories and experiences. Noah’s mother took him to see places black people never usually go. She did that so there were no limitations on Noah’s mind about what he could and couldn’t do. She taught him to believe that he could do whatever he set his mind to. 

Born a Crime: Chapters 2&3

 Born a Crime: Chapters 2&3

Passage 1: 

“I wasn’t a lonely kid—I was good at being alone. I’d read books, play with the toy I had, make up imaginary worlds. I lived inside my head. I still live inside my head. To this day you can leave me alone for hours and I’m perfectly happy entertaining myself. I have to remember to be with people”(Noah, 51).

Response: 

I chose this passage because I feel that I relate to it deeply. I find myself  enjoying my time the most when I am only with myself. That’s when I truly feel most like myself. Trevor explains how he was able to entertain himself as a kid because he wasn’t allowed to go out and interact with others that often. When I was a kid, I was definitely more exposed to social settings and was with other people quite a bit. I find it interesting how as I got older, I realized that I like my own company over the company of others. Noah was like this his whole life, but I started feeling this way as I grew into my teenage years. I really liked his description of being in his head because I feel that way too. I feel as though he captured the feeling of being content with being alone very well. I find it very easy to entertain myself for long periods of time that I don’t even realize that I haven’t spoken to anyone all day. I definitely understand what he means on a personal level. 

Passage 2: 

“Whenever I prayed, my grandmother would say, “That prayer is going to be answered. I can feel it.” 

Women in the township always had something to pray for—money problems, a son who’d been arrested, a daughter who was sick, a husband who drank. Whenever the prayer meetings were at our house, because my prayers were so good, my grandmother would want me to pray for everyone. She would turn to me and say, “Trevor, pray.” And I’d pray. I loved doing it” (Noah, 64).

Response: 

I chose this passage because I too feel a deep connection when I pray. Noah explained how his grandmother made him believe that his prayers get answered and I believe that too. Whenever I pray I always know when my prayers get answered. I feel a connection, and things happen for me that I prayed for. I truly love doing it because I know that I can always turn to prayer for any aspect of my life. Trevor believed his prayers get answered for different reasons, but mainly because of the way he prayed. I believe that my prayers get answered for other reasons, but mostly because I see the outcome of what I prayed for. I connected deeply to this passage because my faith is very important to me, just like Noah and his grandmother. I believe that my prayers can help any hardship I am dealing with, just like how Noah stated the things the women in the township prayed for. 

In chapter two we learn the story of how Trevor Noah’s mother Patricia met his father. How does Patricia move through a world governed by institutional racism? Describe Trevor Noah’s early upbringing.

Trevor Noah’s mother Patricia moved to downtown Johannesburg, which was a place that was illegal for black people to live. She spent her time learning ways to move around the city without being questioned or stopped. She lived in a secret flat in Hillbrow. When Patricia had Noah, she couldn’t be seen with him out in public because it was illegal to have a mixed baby. If people saw Noah, who was light-skinned, with his mom, it would raise many questions and suspicions. He also couldn’t be seen with his dad because he was white. Patricia found a colored woman to take Noah out to the park without raising any questions. Patricia would walk behind them to make it seem like the collared lady was Noah’s mother. Noah only saw his father indoors so he wouldn’t get caught. He and his parents lived in secret to avoid the harsh laws and punishments of the apartheid.

Like many young males in South Africa, Trevor Noah grows up in a household surrounded by women. Describe what you learn about “Soweto,” his life there, and what struck you as notable about this chapter.

Soweto was a township meant for only black people. The place had high levels of surveillance and control. There were many officers because of the many protests that happened constantly. Noah wasn’t allowed outside of the house because he was colored. His grandmother was afraid that he would get taken by the police and hauled off to an orphanage. The police make sure that there are no wrong colored kids in the wrong colored area. Noah explains how it was no coincidence that he was raised in a house full of women. The apartheid kept kids from their fathers in one way or another. Women ran the community of Soweto and built their own family. They centered the town around faith and prayer. I found it notable how they always had prayer meetings that would rotate houses each day. The people of the community would always gather to sing and pray. The people of this town turned something that is so horrible and wrongfully done, into their home. It is a testament of their determination and courage. People made a life for themselves out of the world they were forced to stay in. 

Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime

 Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime

1. My favorite comedian is Kevin Hart. He is my favorite because his jokes are really funny, and I love the way he presents himself. He has a very lighthearted personality and can make anyone laugh. I think comedy is really important in this day and age because it takes people’s minds off the things that bother them. It’s meant to lift spirits and make people feel happy and positive. I think everyone needs that in their life to help get through hard times. 

2. According to Trevor Noah, the genius of apartheid is an enforcement of segregation and racial inequality. It divided society based on race and color, and this helped keep the apartheid in power. He describes it as a police state and a system of surveillance to have total control over black people. People were suffering from these laws because it put them in a state of oppression that they couldn’t get out of. The main difference between the Zulu and Xhosa tribes is the way they fought their wars. The Zulu went to battle with only their weapons and force, and they never stopped fighting. The Xhosa fought by trying to understand and negotiate with the white man. These tribes and differences caused the divide and made South Africa go to war with itself. I think Trevor Noah says he was born a crime because his mom was black and his dad was white. The laws under apartheid forbade interracial mixing. There were very major consequences for this so it had to be kept a secret. Trevor Noah couldn’t be seen with his father, and people would even look at him weird with his mother since he was light-skinned. Since his parents broke the law, that’s why he says he was born a crime. 

3. Religion is very important to Trevor Noah and his family because it gave them a sense of hope in the time of oppression. Noah’s mother was a very devoted Christian who used her faith to help her persevere through difficult times. She never found herself scared because she knew she had God by her side. This helped her continue living her life without letting any of the hardships around her stop her. The real reason he was thrown out of a moving car was to protect him. Him and his family were in a minibus with a man who was about to harm them because of their tribe. His mom wasn’t going to let that happen so she threw him out, and then jumped right behind him with the baby. If she hadn’t done that, the man would have killed them all. She was protecting them, even though they both got hurt. He describes his relationship with his mother as a Tom and Jerry relationship. She was very strict and disciplined and he was a more naughty kid. She was very strict on him and would only allow him to follow exactly what she told him to. He was a more hard-headed kid who would constantly cause trouble. His mom ultimately wanted the best for him and to protect him. 

4. I would describe tacos as a simple go-to food for whenever you’re hungry. Tacos can be as diverse and flavorful as you want, depending on your toppings. You can even eat them plain if you’re a picky eater. Tacos are a favorite of so many people around the world because of their delicious taste. I think Trevor Noah’s experience with tacos is striking because he never had them before, and he is faced with words that he doesn’t fully understand the meaning of. He had absolutely no idea what to expect with the tacos, and he was already skeptical about them coming from a truck. He also had a very odd experience with the napkins thinking they were diapers. That raised a lot of confusion for him causing his experience to be a very odd one. I'm excited about hearing more of Trevor Noah’s stories and what it was like for him growing up in South Africa. I am very intrigued by his experience since it is very different from my own. It will also help me learn more about the history in South Africa at that time. My life is very different from Noah’s so I don’t relate to much, but I do relate to him on the fact that religion is very important to me. I grew up consistently going to the mosque like he grew up going to church. My mom is also a very religious person like his, and she teaches me a lot about my religion. It is a major part of my life that’s been with me since the beginning.