What was Mixed Church like for Trevor when he and his mother attended each Sunday in Born a Crime?
In the book "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah, Trevor describes his experiences attending the Mixed Church with his mother every Sunday. The Mixed Church was a unique religious institution in apartheid South Africa that allowed people of different races to worship together, which was prohibited during that time.
Trevor explains that his mother was very religious and attending the Mixed Church was a significant part of their weekly routine. However, the church experience was quite uncomfortable for Trevor as a mixed-race child because he was neither fully accepted by black nor white people in South Africa due to the racial segregation policies of apartheid.
During the church services, Trevor reveals that he stood out as one of the few mixed-race attendees among predominantly black or white congregants. He often received curious and sometimes hostile looks from people who were not accustomed to seeing mixed-race individuals. Trevor also mentions that there were instances where he and his mother were even harassed or threatened for attending the Mixed Church, as their mere presence challenged the apartheid laws.
Despite the challenges, Trevor's mother remained undeterred, valuing the importance of worshipping freely and openly, and instilled this belief within Trevor. Attending the Mixed Church allowed Trevor to witness firsthand the absurdity and injustices of the apartheid system, which contributed to his growing awareness of racial dynamics and his later career as a comedian and political commentator.