Born a Crime - April 26, 2021

It is Zoom again this month!  Present were Betty, Carla, Colette, Linda, Marg, Michèle and Shirley.  The book discussed this month, Marg's choice, was Born a Crime, Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah.  

Trevor Noah, born in Johannesburg South Africa during Apartheid to a black Xhosa mother and a white German Swiss father. He is considered in South Africa, a coloured person.  He was raised by his mother with little influence from his father.  His mother Patricia raised him with her mother in Soweto where her family lived.  During the first years of his life when Apartheid still existed he was kept mostly indoors to keep away from the eyes of the authorities. Trevor began his education in a private catholic school amongst mainly white children.  He soon realized that the best way to blend in with different groups was to know their language and he taught himself practically every language spoken in South Africa.  In his late teens he began a career in South African radio and television as a comedian and actor.  One of his television appearances was seen by Jon Stewart, previous host of The Daily Show, an American night time show.  He was offered the opportunity to replace Jon Stewart.  He moved to New York City in 2011.  

All members enjoyed the book and learned a lot about life in South Africa both during Apartheid and after  South Africa was liberated from white rule.  Trevor's experiences as he recounts them plunged the reader into the realities of Apartheid, poverty, violence and inequality.  With his mother who believed in grasping all opportunities, post-Apartheid gave them the chance to live more freely and Trevor embraced every opportunity he had.  

All of us admired Trevor's mother who pushed him to have an open mind and see all the opportunities the world offered.   Thank you Marg for a good book choice that allowed us to learn about South Africa.