Trevor Noah

Born a Hero

Trevor Noah is a hero because not only does he host a very popular show on television but, he is a hero because he developed an amazing sense of humor while overcoming a rough home life and segregation from his country.  Noah’s father was white and his mother was black. In Suth Africa, Noah was born a crime because of apartheid. This caused many dangerous situations for him and his mother. His mother was also abused by his future stepfather as well and almost killed her and even threatened Noah later on.  Despite his tough life, he developed a great sense of humor and became a very popular in South Africa. He eventually came to America where he was still a popular comedian and eventually became the successor of Jon Stewart, arguably one of the most famous talk show hosts of all time, and took over his position.  Trevor Noah is courageous and brave. He was born in a time where he wasn’t supposed to exist and overcame and survived many dangerous situations while still developing a great sense of humor.

The daily show with Trevor NoahYoutube 

Trevor Noah was very courageous to overcome dangerous situations with his mother while living through apartheid in South Africa.  When Noah was born, apartheid laws made it illegal for white and black people to have children. The pressure caused Noah’s father to leave.  Noah’s mother and him had to fend for themselves and survive a dangerous time for the South African people. Noah and his mom encountered many dangerous situations.  In Noah’s book, Born a Crime, he writes about a dangerous encounter with a driver.  “He raced along Oxford Road, the lanes empty, no other cars out.  I was sitting closest to the minibus’s sliding door. My mother sat next to me, holding baby Andrew.  She looked out the window and then leaned over and whispered to me, ‘Trevor when he slows down at the next intersection, I’m going to open the door and we’re going to jump.(Noah 6)’”  Noah and his mom ran away from a man who might’ve killed them if they didn’t have courage to jump out of the car and run. Noah and his mom escaped and called the cops and starting laughing even though they just experienced a traumatic experience.  “ She broke into a huge smile and started laughing. I started laughing too, and we stood there, this little boy and his mom, our arms and legs covered in blood and dirt, laughing together through the pain in the light of a petrol station on the side of a road in the middle of the night.(Noah 7)”  Noah needed courage and positivity to get where he is today. Noah’s courage showed even at a young age Noah and his mom went through many hard and dangerous times and still had the courage to keep moving forward. Noah had a tough childhood but still learned to have the courage to laugh through the pain.

Trevor Noah is brave because of the things he grew up around and how he dealt with it.  When Noah’s father left his mother, she met a mechanic who eventually became his stepdad.  Trevor’s mother was abused by the man. In an NPR interview Noah described the relationship.

NOAH: I think I was maybe 12 years old or 13 - yeah, maybe around  there.

GROSS: So you've described him as becoming alcoholic and abusive. Did he abuse you?

NOAH: No, no, no, no, my mom was very protective of me. So I didn't suffer, you know, much of that. But I mean, a home that is terrorized by an abusive drunk is terrorized all the same. You know, I feel like we were all in the same boat because we were. But physically, I was spared much of that torment.

GROSS: And what - did he hit her?  

NOAH: Yeah, yeah. I mean, this is - you know, it's widely documented. And it's something my mom raised me not to be ashamed to speak about because that was always the biggest thing she said was we live in a world where for some strange women are taught to be ashamed of the fact that they have been abused. And then the victims are running around with the shame, whereas we should be shaming those who are the abusers. So yeah - so he hit my mom, and that was the craziest thing is you're living in a world where it happens sporadically. Like, you know, it wasn't an everyday thing but once is enough, you know? But it was a very harrowing experience to go through. And so, you know, the combination of the alcohol and a bad temper led to that environment.(Noah,Trevor. NPR interview. 18 Feb. 2016)

Trevor Noah's book of memoirs of his lifeNew York TimesThis shows his bravery because of how he talked about his mother being abused.  His stepfather was very dangerous and even shot his mom. Women have always been the victims of rape and abuse but, they are still told to keep quiet and not say anything.  When women tell the world that they were abused they are often shamed and looked down upon. By Noah being open about his mother being abused is a very brave thing to speak about publicly.  In a biography it said about Noah, “When Noah confronted Shingange about the matter, his stepfather allegedly threatened to kill him. In 2012 Shingange pled guilty to the attempted murder of Nombuyiselo Noah and was sentenced to three years of "correctional supervision." He was not charged for the alleged threats against Trevor Noah.(Gale, Trevor Noah)”  Noah was very brave to confront his stepfather who put his life in danger. Even though Noah was already famous he still was brave and decided to confront him which is something he didn’t have to do. Trevor Noah is very brave because he stood up to the man who was abusive and almost killed his mother.

Trevor Noah is very courageous and brave.  Noah overcame a tough childhood and became a very famous comedian and talk show host.  He confronted an abuser, he jumped out of a moving car and on top he was literally born a crime.  Trevor Noah is a hero and an inspiration to many by showing it doesn't’ matter where you come from or your story.  He was born in a time where he wasn’t supposed to exist and made a life for himself which makes him an inspiration for everyone.  Trevor Noah is an example that you can overcome tough times and laugh through the pain. Trevor Noah made a life for himself by being courageous and brave.

Works Cited

"Jon Stewart." Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2012. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1000149964/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=ff6

0c3e4. Accessed 30 Mar. 2018.

Noah, Trevor. Born a Crime Stories from a South African Childhood. W F Howes, 2017.

"Trevor Noah." Gale Biography in Context, Gale, 2014. Biography In Context  

“Under Apartheid, Trevor Noah's Mom Taught Him To Face Injustice With Humor.” NPR, NPR,

18 Feb. 2016,

www.npr.org/2016/02/18/467175568/under-apartheid-trevor-noahs-mom-taught-him-to-f

Ace-injustice-with-humor.