Blog Reading Journal for Born a Crime

In the video, Trevor Noah discusses how smartphones have fundamentally changed human behavior, from how we interact with the world to how we communicate with others. He emphasizes the idea that smartphones have made us both connected and isolated at the same time. People now have the world at their fingertips, but this constant access to information and social media can also make us more distant, as we focus more on our screens than on our immediate surroundings. I agree with Noah’s point about how smartphones, while incredibly useful, also create a paradoxical sense of disconnect. They provide instant communication but often hinder face-to-face interactions, making us less present with the people physically around us.

In chapter 6, Noah describes his relationship with his mother as akin to the dynamic between a cop and a criminal. This analogy captures the tension in their relationship, as his mother was determined to raise him with discipline and love, while he, as a child, often tried to find ways to outsmart her. Some notable events in the chapter that illustrate this are when he would lie to her about his activities, or when he tried to hide his misbehavior (like skipping school or stealing). His mother’s relentless pursuit of guiding him is evident, and this back-and-forth tension highlights the strong, if sometimes combative, bond between them.

In chapter 7, Noah discusses his experiences with pets, particularly Fufi the dog and Panther the cat. He reflects on how they had an independent spirit and how, despite their domestication, they still lived their lives on their terms. Noah’s lesson here is about ownership and attachment: you can love something, but you don’t truly own it. This concept can extend beyond pets, reflecting the idea that love and control are often separate. From my own experience with pets, I’ve learned similar lessons. For instance, I’ve had cats who were fiercely independent, and no matter how much I cared for them, they always had their own will and behavior. This is a reminder that relationships, whether with pets or people, are not about control but about mutual respect and love.

Chapter 6: pg 80. “My Relationship with my mom was like the relationship between a cop and a criminal in the movies- the relentless detective and the devious mastermind she's determined to catch. theyre bitter rivals, but, damn, they respect the hell out of each other, and somehow they even grow to like each other."

This quote reflects the cat-and-mouse dynamic Noah experienced with his mother. Despite his efforts to outsmart her, she always found a way to keep him in check, which, in hindsight, Noah realizes was for his own good.

Chapter 7, Pg 100. “I believed that Fufi was my dog, but of course that wasn't true. Fufi was a dog. I was a boy. We got along well. She happened to live in my house. That experience shaped what I've felt about relationships for the rest of my life: You do not own the thing that you love. I was lucky to learn that lesson at such a young age.”

This is a profound statement about the nature of love and ownership, especially when it comes to relationships, both with animals and people. It challenges the idea of possession and emphasizes the need for respect and acceptance of autonomy in others, even pets.

Blog Journal for Born a Crime

Chapter 4 Page 54: "As a kid, I understood that people were different colors, but in my head, white and black, and brown were like types of chocolate. Dad was the white chocolate, Mom was the dark chocolate, and it was the milk chocolate. But we were all just chocolate. I didn't know any of it had any of it had to do with race. I didn't know what race was. My mother never referred to my dad as white or to me as mixed. So when the kids in Soweto called me white, even though I was light brown, I just thought they had their colors mixed up, like they hadn't learnt them properly, "Ah yes, my friend. You've confused aqua with turquoise. I can see how you made that mistake. You're not the first." 

At its core, this passage reflects how Trevor’s early understanding of identity was shaped more by love and family than by societal labels. By comparing skin tones to different kinds of chocolate, “white chocolate,” “dark chocolate,” and “milk chocolate,” he uses a childlike metaphor that emphasizes unity over division. In his eyes, everyone was simply "chocolate," a delicious, familiar, and neutral comparison that shows how race was irrelevant to his personal identity at the time. The humor in the paragraph, especially his imaginary correction of the Soweto kids who called him white, demonstrates Noah’s signature comedic voice, which he often uses to explore serious topics like racism and identity in a more approachable way. His response, “Ah yes, my friend. You've confused aqua with turquoise…” illustrates how absurd and arbitrary racial distinctions seemed to him as a child. It’s not that he denied being different in appearance it’s that he hadn’t yet been taught to associate those differences with hierarchy or exclusion. This moment also subtly critiques the way society teaches racial categories, suggesting that these concepts are learned rather than innate. Trevor’s mother, who never labeled his father as white or him as mixed, deliberately avoided instilling racial bias or division, reinforcing the idea that children learn racism from the world around them, not from within.

Chapter 5 Page 69: "Eden Park was a colored neighborhood adjacent to several black townships on the East Rand. Half colored and half black, she figured, like us. We'd be camouflaged there. It didn't work out that way; we never fit after all. But that was her thinking when we made the move. Plus, it was the chance to buy a home, our own home. Eden Park was one of those "suburbs" that are actually out on the edge of civilization, the kind of place where property developers have said, "Hey, poor people. You can live the good life, too. Here's a house. In the middle of nowhere. But look, you have a yard!' For some reason, the streets in Eden Park were named after the Jaguar Street. Ferrari Stret. Honda Street. I don't know if it was a coincidence or not, but it's funny because colored people in South Africa are known for loving fancy cars. It was like living in a white neighborhood with all the streets named after varietals of fine wine." 

This paragraph from Born a Crime offers insight into Trevor Noah’s experiences with place, identity, and socioeconomic illusions in South Africa. Through his character, Noah unpacks the deeper ironies of social mobility and racial identity in a country still deeply shaped by segregation. At first, Eden Park seems like a logical choice for Trevor’s mother, a neighborhood that’s “half colored and half black,” potentially offering a place where their mixed family could "camouflage." This word choice reflects her hope for belonging and safety through blending in. But the reality, as Trevor notes, was different; they “never fit after all.” This reveals how even within marginalized communities, there are still divisions and hierarchies tied to race and identity. Noah also critiques the illusion of opportunity sold to poor people in South Africa. He highlights the superficial appeal of "owning a home" in Eden Park, a suburb that promised a better life but was located "in the middle of nowhere." His sarcastic comment, "But look, you have a yard! reveals how the promise of upward mobility often masks the lack of real infrastructure or inclusion. In essence, this passage critiques the systems that sell hope while maintaining inequality, and it captures how race, class, and aspiration intersect in everyday life. Noah’s humor doesn’t undercut the seriousness of his message it sharpens it, making the critique both accessible and poignant.

The animal that most frightens me is a frog. I can't stand the sight of it near me. If I were to have a close-up experience with it, I would most likely have a panic attack. Ever since I was young, I've had bad experiences with frogs and have developed this fear stemming from the fact that my mother also had this fear of frogs as well which made me fear them. 

In Chapter Four of Born a Crime, Trevor Noah emphasizes the power of language in shaping identity and social perception. He states, "language, even more than color, defines who you are to people" (p. 56). This insight stems from his experiences in apartheid-era South Africa, where racial divisions were stark. Trevor found that speaking the local language allowed him to connect with different communities, often overriding racial prejudices. For instance, when he spoke Zulu to a group of men who initially saw him as an outsider, their perception changed, and they accepted him as one of their own. This adaptability led Trevor to describe himself as a "chameleon," someone who could navigate various social landscapes by blending in linguistically and culturally, despite his mixed-race background. 

In Chapter Five, Trevor discusses the concept of the "black tax," which his mother describes as the burden placed on Black individuals to support their families financially, often hindering their own progress. He explains, "Because the generations who came before you have been pillaged, rather than being free to use your skills and education to move forward, you lose everything just trying to bring everyone behind you back up to zero" (p. 66).

Despite these challenges, Trevor's mother instilled in him a sense of resilience and optimism. She advised him not to let past traumas define his future, emphasizing the importance of moving forward and embracing new experiences. Trevor reflects on this mindset, stating, "I remember the thing that caused the trauma, but I don't hold on to the trauma. I never let the memory of something painful prevent me from trying something new" (p. 90). 

Furthermore, Trevor notes that while they lived modestly, they were "rich in experience." His mother exposed him to various environments beyond their immediate circumstances, such as visiting affluent neighborhoods, to broaden his perspective and aspirations. This approach allowed Trevor to envision possibilities beyond the limitations imposed by their socioeconomic status. ​

Born a Crime Chapters Two and Three

 "“Neighbors would report on one another. The girlfriends of the white men in my mom's block of flats had every single reason to report a black woman—a prostitute, no doubt—living among them That's how a police state works—everyone thinks everyone else is the police.” Chapter 2 page 25

This shows just how bold and fearless Patricia had to be to move through a world governed by institutional racism. She was constantly at risk, not just from the law but also from her neighbors. Despite this, she refused to let the system define her life. She intentionally placed herself in spaces where she wasn’t allowed, took jobs she technically wasn’t permitted to have, and even had a child with a white man—something illegal under apartheid. Patricia challenged the system through her choices, her independence, and her refusal to conform to unjust laws. Trevor Noah’s early upbringing was shaped by his mother’s defiance and courage. He was raised to be aware of his situation, but not limited by it. She gave him books, took him to church, and exposed him to languages and culture beyond what was typical in his community. Her approach to parenting was both protective and empowering, trying to create a sense of freedom and possibility despite the restrictive world around them.

“In Soweto, religion filled the void left by absent men. I used to ask my mom if it was hard for her to raise me alone without a husband. She'd reply, ‘Just because I live without a man doesn't mean I've never had a husband. God is my husband.’ For my mom, my aunt, my grandmother, and all the other women on our street, life centered on faith.” Chapter 3 page 39

This passage stood out to me because it beautifully captures the strength and resilience of the women who raised Trevor Noah—and by extension, so many women around the world who raise families without male partners. It hit me emotionally because it shows how deeply faith can fill emotional, social, and even practical gaps when people are left to navigate the world on their own. In Soweto, where men were often absent due to work, death, or abandonment, women held their households and communities together. Patricia, Trevor’s mom, didn’t express sadness about raising him alone—instead, she drew strength from her belief in God. That line, “God is my husband,” really stuck with me. It reminded me of my own grandmother, who raised kids largely on her own and often spoke about “God providing” when things got hard. It made me reflect on how often faith serves not just as a belief system, but as a source of stability, purpose, and identity, especially in places where systems have failed people.

From this chapter, I also learned a lot about Soweto as a community—it was a place of hardship, definitely, but also one of deep cultural and spiritual life. Trevor’s early experiences there shaped how he viewed race, class, gender, and survival. It’s notable how humor, storytelling, and strong family bonds helped people get through tough times. Even in struggle, there was laughter, there was church, there was community. That contrast between scarcity and abundance—in resources versus love—is what made this chapter especially powerful for me.

Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime

 Kevin Hart is my favorite comedian because of his incredible energy, relatability, and ability to turn everyday situations into hilarious stories. His stand-up specials are always packed with humor, but it’s the way he connects with his audience that makes him stand out. He has this unique way of talking about his personal life, from family moments to his experiences as a parent, and he does it in a way that everyone can relate to, no matter their background. In addition to his humor, Kevin Hart is also incredibly motivating. In his interviews and social media, he often shares messages about hard work, perseverance, and pushing yourself to be better, which really resonates with me. His ability to make people laugh while also inspiring them is what makes him such a unique and powerful figure in comedy. 

According to Trevor Noah, the "genius of apartheid" was its ability to divide people by race and ethnicity, creating a system that controlled who interacted with whom, where people could go, and what they could do. It made people internalize the belief that they were inherently different from each other. This system kept groups of people isolated and pitted against one another, which made it easier for the government to maintain control. As for the Xhosa and Zulu tribes, one of the main differences lies in their language and cultural practices. Both tribes have rich histories, but the Xhosa people speak a different language from the Zulu, and they each have their own customs and traditions. There is also a history of rivalry between the two groups, influenced by both colonialism and their cultural differences.Trevor Noah’s very birth was considered a "crime" because, under apartheid laws, his mother, who was black, and his father, who was white, were not allowed to be in a relationship. The laws criminalized interracial relationships, so Noah’s existence was a direct violation of these racist regulations.

On page five, Noah recalls his mother throwing him out of a moving car when he was nine years old. At first, this might seem like a random act, but we later learn that his mother was deeply involved in religion and was very strict about it. She believed that the devil might be controlling Noah, which led her to take extreme actions in trying to protect him. The actual reason for him being thrown out of the car was because of his mother’s beliefs in spirituality and her desire to “save” him from evil forces. So far, Noah describes his relationship with his mother as complicated. She was loving but also tough on him. Despite her sometimes harsh methods, Noah has deep respect and admiration for her, and she plays a huge role in shaping his life and perspective 

Taocs come in soft shells or hard shells either one will give you a unique flavor combination. The toppings of your choice with different types of meat. You get the crunchy shell, juicy fillings like seasoned meat, or beans, and all the fresh toppings like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. It's a burst of flavors in every bite! In the video, Noah shares a hilarious moment where he first experiences tacos, and it’s striking because of his genuine enthusiasm and curiosity. His excitement over something so simple is relatable because food can be an experience that brings people joy, especially when it's something new and exciting.