Apartheid & Illegality
Under apartheid law, what crime did Trevor’s parents commit by having a child together?
Interracial sexual relations under the Immorality Act (1927)
How did Trevor’s mom save them from a dangerous minibus driver?
Jumped out of the moving vehicle, threw Trevor out ahead of her, and ran away with her children
What was Patricia’s reason for having Trevor?
She wanted someone to love and who would love her back unconditionally
What did Trevor pray for to avoid being punished during the "demon" incident?
For the misunderstanding to be resolved rather than for the demon to be destroyed
Why did Trevor feel like a "chameleon"?
He could adapt to and blend in with different racial and cultural groups by switching languages
What strategy did Trevor’s mother use to keep him safe in public?
Pretending to be his nanny and avoiding being seen with him in public
What game was Trevor playing when he accidentally injured his cousin?
Doctor, using matches as medical instruments
How did Patricia defy societal norms from a young age?
She was rebellious, independent, and left home to find her own way and education
What caused Trevor’s grandmother to panic and call for a prayer meeting?
Trevor pooping on the floor and hiding it in the garbage that made her believe it was a sign of a demon present
What was Trevor’s grandfather’s nickname for him?
“Mastah”, because he saw Trevor as a white person and treated him like a superior
Why did Trevor’s birth certificate say he was from Swaziland?
To hide the fact that he was of mixed race and avoid legal trouble
Why did Trevor's grandmother refuse to hit him?
She was afraid because his skin bruised differently, unlike black children she was used to disciplining
What lesson did Patricia teach Trevor about taking risks?
She believed in faith and bold action, not waiting for opportunities but creating them
What did Trevor do when he realized a group of black men were planning to mug him?
He spoke Zulu to them (making them believe he was part of their group and realize that he wasn't white) so they let him go
Why did people in Soweto view English as the most powerful language for prayer?
They were taught and believed that Jesus was white and spoke English, so English prayers got answered first
How did apartheid use language to divide people?
Separated races into different language groups to prevent unity and keep them under control
How did Trevor’s ability to speak multiple languages help him as a child?
It allowed him to blend in with different racial and cultural groups, keeping him safe and accepted
How did Patricia challenge traditional parenting roles?
She was strict but also allowed Trevor a lot of freedom to explore and learn from mistakes
How did Trevor get out of trouble after injuring his cousin’s ear?
His grandmother was too afraid to punish him because of his light skin
How did apartheid use language to reinforce segregation?
Different racial groups were forced to speak separate languages to prevent unity in ethnicity
How did Trevor’s existence challenge apartheid?
Proved that racial mixing was possible and contradicting the segregationist logic of the system
What unusual belief did Trevor’s grandmother have about his prayers?
She believed his prayers were more powerful because he prayed in English, which she thought Jesus understood best
How did Patricia’s relationship with her own parents shape her parenting style?
Her strained relationship with her mother and father made her determined to raise Trevor with love and resilience
What was the unexpected negative consequence of Trevor’s multilingual skills?
He was able to blend in but also felt he didn’t fully belong anywhere
What did Trevor realize about the power of language when he was nearly mugged?
Language, more than skin color, determines how people perceive and accept you