Born a Crime Chapter 13-17

Chapter 16 pg.207- "I graduated from high school when I was seventeen, and by that point, life at home had become toxic because of my stepfather. I didn't want to be there anymore, and my mom agreed that I should move out. She helped me move to a cheap, roach-infested flat in a building down the road. My plan, insofar as I had one, was to go to university to be a computer programmer, but we couldn't afford the tuition. I needed to make money. The only way I knew how to make money was selling pirated CDs, and one of the best places to sell CDs was in the hood, because that's where the minibus rank was."

I chose this passage because it captures a powerful turning point in Trevor Noah’s life when he steps into adulthood with dreams but no clear path to reach them. It stood out to me because it shows how even someone motivated and talented, like Trevor, can be held back by poverty and a lack of opportunity. He wanted to go to university and become a computer programmer, but because of financial struggles and a toxic home environment, he had to survive on his own in a roach-infested flat and turn to selling pirated CDs to make ends meet. It also raised a question in my mind: How many brilliant minds never get the chance to shine because they’re too busy just trying to survive? Trevor’s experience shows that sometimes, it’s not a lack of ambition or talent that holds people back it’s a lack of resources and support.

Chapter 16 pg. 209- "In the hood, even if you're not a hardcore criminal, crime is in your life in some way or another. There are degrees of it. It's everyone from the mom buying some food that fell off the back of a truck to feed her family, all the way up to the gangs selling military-grade weapons and hardware. The hood made me realize that crime succeeds because crime does the one thing the government doesn't do: crime cares. Crime is grassroots. Crime looks for the young kids who need support and a helping hand. Crime offers internship programs and summer jobs, and opportunities for advancement. Crime gets involved in the community. Crime doesn't discriminate." 

I chose this passage because it completely changed the way I think about crime. Trevor Noah doesn’t just talk about crime as something bad or dangerous he shows it as something that fills a gap left by society. It’s a strange and powerful phrase, and it made me realize that for many people, especially in poor communities, crime isn't always about greed or evil it’s about survival and opportunity. This passage made me picture a world where young people are surrounded by systems that ignore them, schools that fail them, and leaders who don’t listen while crime steps in and offers them a role, a purpose, or even just a way to feed their families. It’s like crime becomes the unofficial social worker or job recruiter when the actual government disappears. That’s heartbreaking and eye-opening at the same time.

In Chapter Thirteen, Trevor gets into serious trouble for selling pirated CDs, which is illegal. When he's caught, the police detain him and his friend. Ironically, Trevor’s light skin, stemming from being mixed-race in a society obsessed with racial classification, ends up working in his favor. The police assume that because he’s lighter-skinned, he’s more respectable or less likely to be a real criminal. His race causes the officers to treat him more leniently than they do his Black friend. This skewed racial perception, rooted in apartheid's lingering effects, protects Trevor from harsher punishment, illustrating how racial bias can unjustly influence outcomes in law enforcement. 

Trevor learns from Andrew, a white friend, how to navigate the digital and economic systems that had been inaccessible to him growing up. Andrew provides not just advice, but tools, like a working computer and knowledge of how to use it to make Trevor’s small CD business more successful. This experience shows Trevor that success isn’t just about knowledge, it’s also about access to tools and resources. Yes, his quote is a powerful critique of bootstrap ideology. It highlights how telling people to help themselves is meaningless if they lack the tools to do so. In societies marked by inequality, simply offering advice without access or support can perpetuate systemic barriers. True empowerment also means addressing those material and structural disadvantages.

I feel like when Trevor says, “Crime is grassroots,” he means that in marginalized communities, crime often arises because it fills a void left by government institutions. In the hood, people turn to crime not out of greed but out of necessity because crime responds to needs, like food, security, or income, in ways that the government fails to. Crime "cares" in the sense that it meets people where they are and provides a sense of support or survival, even if it's destructive in the long term. It’s how neglect and inequality can make illegal systems feel more accessible and responsive than legal ones. 

Blog Deep Dive into Born a Crime Chapters 8-13

Chapter 9 pg. 127: "Trevor, remember a man is not determined by how much he earns. You can still be the man of the house and earn less than your woman. Being a man is not what you have, it's who you are. Being more of a man doesn't mean your woman has to be less than you." The smallest thing could prompt her. I'd walk around the house on the way to my room and say, "Hey, Mom," without glancing up. She'd say, "No, Trevor! You look at me. You acknowledge me. Show me that I exist to you, because the way you treat me is the way you will treat your woman. Women like to be noticed. Come and acknowledge me, and let me know that you see me. Don't just see me when you need something." 

I chose this passage because it highlights a powerful moment of learning and growth for Trevor Noah, not just about himself but about relationships, respect, and how men and women should treat each other. It stands out to me because it’s a simple yet powerful lesson in acknowledging and respecting others, especially women. His mother’s wisdom here is about more than just politeness; it’s about the way you show value to someone through your actions, not just words. What really stood out to me was the line, “Being a man is not what you have, it’s who you are.” This resonates deeply because in a society where men are often defined by their success or material wealth, this is a reminder that masculinity isn’t tied to what you possess, but to your character and actions. It makes me reflect on how society often measures success, and how that can impact the way we perceive ourselves and each other. The passage also struck me because it’s so relatable in terms of relationships. The idea that women like to be acknowledged, to be seen, is something I think many can relate to in their own lives, whether it’s in a romantic relationship or in familial relationships. How many times do we walk past someone, caught up in our own world, and forget the importance of that small gesture of acknowledging them? In a way, it seems to speak to the larger dynamics of respect and attention in relationships. It raises a few questions for me, too, how much do we, as individuals, take the time to truly see others in our lives? How often do we overlook small but important acts of acknowledgment? And how can we shift our behaviors to treat people with more genuine respect and consideration? This passage emphasizes the importance of presence and respect in human interactions. It’s a powerful reminder that simple actions, like making eye contact or acknowledging someone, can have a profound impact on relationships. I’d love to explore how different cultures teach these values and how they show up in different relationships, whether it’s between parents and children, partners, or even strangers.

Chapter 12 pg. 146: "Being poor didn't help. Not only could I not afford a decent haircut, leaving me with a huge, unruly Afro, but my mother also used to get angry at the fact that I grew out of my school uniforms too fast, so to save money, she started buying my clothes three sizes too big. My blazer was too long and my pants were too baggy, and my shoes flopped around. I was a clown. And of course, Murphy's Law, the year my mom started buying my clothes too big was the year that I stopped growing. So now I was never going to grow into my clown clothes, and I was stuck being a clown. The only thing I had going was the fact that I was tall, but even there, I was gangly and awkward-looking. Duck feet. High ass. Nothing worked." 

I chose this passage because it is such a vivid and relatable depiction of growing up feeling awkward and out of place. Trevor Noah’s self-deprecating humor shines through, but it’s also a glimpse into the painful reality of how external factors, like being poor and growing up too quickly, can deeply affect self-image during childhood. The line “I was a clown” really struck me because it shows how, as children, we can internalize things about ourselves that others might not even notice, but they shape how we view the world and ourselves. The passage made me reflect on how much we take for granted in our own lives, how, as children, we may not have had to worry about clothes being too big or feeling different in ways that marked us. It raises a question, I think a lot of people could relate to: how often do we feel that our appearance or circumstances define us? How many times do we let something like "clown clothes" become part of our internal dialogue about ourselves, even when it's not really a reflection of who we are or how we’re seen by others? This experience of growing up, feeling out of place, and trying to find your identity in a world that judges you for things you can't control. It’s a painful yet humorous reminder that what often feels like our defining moments are simply chapters in a much larger story.

“Don’t ever forget: He chose you” (Noah 108), Trevor learns in chapter eight. What else does he learn about his father in this chapter? 

In chapter eight, Trevor begins to understand his father's role in his life. He learns that despite the tumultuous and often disconnected relationship they have, his father chose to be in his life, despite the societal obstacles of apartheid. Trevor reflects on the complexity of their relationship, recognizing that his father, a white man, chose to be a part of Trevor's life even though their relationship was not easy, and society disapproved of it. In addition, he comes to see that his father is more than just a biological figure; he is a person who made a deliberate decision to be part of Trevor’s world, even though he didn't fulfill all the typical expectations of a father figure. This was an eye-opening realization for Trevor and shaped his view on love, family, and personal responsibility.

“That’s what apartheid did: It convinced every group that it was because of the other race that they didn’t get into the club” (Noah 120) writes in chapter nine. What are some examples of how the government convinced other races to hate each other and how arbitrary it was to decide who was white and who was colored? “But I knew I’d done a terrible thing” (Noah 125) writes later in the chapter. What happened?

Apartheid was a deeply divisive system, and it created an artificial sense of superiority and inferiority among different racial groups. The government of South Africa worked hard to convince each group, whether it was black, white, or colored, that they were in competition with the other groups for access to resources and opportunities. They promoted racial segregation by keeping different races apart, creating false narratives that one group was inferior to the others. The classification of who was considered "white" or "colored" was arbitrary, and it often depended on appearance or arbitrary categories set by the government. For example, the so-called "colored" group was comprised of people with mixed racial backgrounds, but even they were treated differently depending on whether they appeared more "European" or more "African." These divisions fueled hatred and resentment, and the arbitrary nature of the classifications left people feeling powerless and confused. Trevor reflects on a time when he did something he regretted deeply: he stole something, and he understood the gravity of his actions afterward. This moment is pivotal because it showcases his growing awareness of right and wrong, and his recognition that sometimes the consequences of actions are far-reaching. Trevor's self-awareness and his ability to take responsibility for his mistakes demonstrate his maturity and growth as a person. In the context of his life in apartheid South Africa, these actions are complicated by the societal constraints and pressures he faces.

In chapter thirteen, Trevor Noah is nearly arrested and expelled for shoplifting. What ironic twist of fate saves him from getting into serious trouble? 

In chapter thirteen, Trevor finds himself on the brink of being arrested for shoplifting. Ironically, he is saved from serious trouble when the police officer who catches him happens to recognize him and realizes that Trevor is the son of a well-known, influential figure. The officer decides not to pursue the matter further, and this twist of fate keeps Trevor out of more severe consequences. This event highlights the arbitrary nature of authority and privilege, where some people’s actions are ignored or forgiven based on their connections or status.

“But I’m consumed with regret for the things I didn’t do, the choices I didn’t make, the things I didn’t say. We spend so much time being afraid of failure, afraid of rejection, but regret is the thing we should fear most” (Noah 143). How do you relate to this quote? 

This quote resonates deeply with the universal human experience of regret. Often, people focus on the fear of failure, rejection, or making mistakes, but Trevor's reflection suggests that it's the missed opportunities, the things we didn't try, or the risks we didn't take that we will ultimately regret. I can relate to this sentiment in my own life, where there have been moments when I hesitated to act, whether it was about speaking up or taking a leap of faith, and later, I wished I had been braver. The fear of failure can paralyze us, but the fear of regret can be even more powerful. This is a reminder to seize opportunities, make decisions with courage, and embrace the uncertainty that comes with growth.