When it comes to discussing the apartheid era in South Africa, Trevor Noah’s memoir “Born a Crime” provides profound insights into the lived experiences of individuals during this dark period of history. Noah, a renowned comedian and television host, was born to a black mother and white father, which was considered a crime under apartheid laws. Through his stories, he brings forth the harsh realities of apartheid and its lasting effects on society. Here, we have compiled a list of powerful quotes from “Born a Crime” that shed light on the apartheid era and its impact on people’s lives.
In “Born a Crime,” Trevor Noah reflects on the absurdity of apartheid laws and the challenges he faced growing up as a mixed-race child. He humorously captures the essence of his experience, stating, “Being chosen is the greatest gift you can give to another human being.” This quote showcases the absurdity of apartheid’s racial classifications, where people were arbitrarily categorized based on their skin color.
Furthermore, Noah highlights the resilience of those living under apartheid, stating, “In the hood, you could be a hero or a victim. Kids who weren’t any older than me were out there fighting the power.” This quote emphasizes the determination and courage exhibited by individuals who fought against the systemic oppression and racism they faced daily.
Read these Born a Crime Apartheid Quotes
“A man is not a man until he’s able to take care of his family.”
“The genius of apartheid was convincing people who were the overwhelming majority to turn on each other.”
“Language, even more than color, defines who you are to people.”
“It’s easy to be judgmental about crime when you live in a world affluent enough to have options.”
“People love to say, ‘Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.’ What they don’t say is, ‘And it would be nice if you gave him a fishing rod.'”
“The first thing I learned about having money was that it gives you choices.”
“The name Hitler does not offend a black South African because Hitler is not the worst thing a black South African can imagine.”
“In black culture, children were raised by the community, and the community had a stake in their success.”
“The hood made me realize that crime succeeds because crime does the one thing the government doesn’t do: crime cares.”
“In the real world, it matters what you look like, even if the outside world doesn’t understand how someone like me could be South African.”
“The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people following the rules.”
“People thought my mom was crazy. Ice rinks and drive-throughs and sushi and yogurt. People thought my mom was crazy because she was willing to raise me crazy.”
“The only difference between suicide and martyrdom is press coverage.”
“I don’t regret anything I’ve ever done in life, any choice that I’ve made. 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.”
“Language brings with it an identity and a culture, or at least the perception of it. A shared language says ‘We’re the same.’
“I became a chameleon. My color didn’t change, but I could change your perception of my color.”
“We spend so much time being afraid of the future, afraid of rejection, afraid of failure, afraid of the truth, afraid of our circumstances, but ultimately, we’re all afraid of ourselves.”
“If you’re Native American and you pray to the wolves, you’re a savage. If you’re African and you pray to your ancestors, you’re a primitive. But when white people pray to a guy who turns water into wine, well, that’s just common sense.”
“People love to say, ‘Stay positive, just be positive.’ But positive is not how you fucking change the world.”
“I don’t know if I ever told you guys this, but I was born illegally.”
“If you’re in an abusive relationship with somebody, it’s because you value that person’s opinion more than your own self-worth.”
These quotes from “Born a Crime” offer a glimpse into the struggles, triumphs, and reflections of Trevor Noah as he navigated the complex and divided world of apartheid South Africa. They serve as a reminder of the resilience and strength of individuals in the face of oppression and the power of storytelling to bring about change.
