"The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah, who took the Comedy Central show after Jon Stewart kicked off Miami Book Fair on Nov. 6, Sunday, at Miami Dade College. In his new memoir "Born a Crime," Noah, whose father is Swiss and whose mother is Xhosa tells his story growing up in South Africa when the law prohibited relationship between whites and nonwhites.
Breaking the law means a five-year imprisonment. Hence, Noah and his father could not be seen together in public. When they went out together, his father would walk across the street, staying at a distance from him and his mom.
One day, Noah's father insisted to accompany him and his mom to Joubert Park, Johannesburg. As he walked ahead, little Noah called him "Daddy! Daddy!," running after him happily, thinking they were playing. His father fled, terrified.
Noah's book showed him as a proof of his parent's criminality, instead of love. His story is both horrifying and funny. The 32-year-old comedian's life growing up in South Africa was during the apartheid and its aftermath.
"Born a Crime" tackles racial injustice, poverty and an abusive stepfather who shot but did not kill his mother, but there is a tone of humor in it, Miami Herald reported. For instance, his grandmother and mother were always scared his grandfather's second family would kill them with poison.
The book does not cover the author's professional life though. Noah worked in South African TV and radio, then landed to stand-up comedy leading Noah to "The Daily Show" gig. Writing a book is not easy but it allows Noah to examine his backstory. However, the hosting job he took from the beloved Stewart's hands is tougher.
Since Noah took over "The Daily Show," the show has been struggling with plummeting viewership. While Stewart had years of reputation as a satirist, he barely has over a year. Specifically comparing the then candidate Donald Trump candidate to an African dictator was his most successful segment, according to Vanity Fair.
Noah compared Trump's controversial nature, boasting and "light xenophobia" to African autocrats. In his show, he wrapped up that while Trump is a bit scary or a bit exotic for some, he is out of America's comfort zone.
"But this great country is capable of bold leaps. It took one in 2008 when it elected its first black president," "The Daily Show" host said. "Now, in 2016, I say it's time to be bold once more, and elect America's first African president."
Watch Noah talks about Trump in his show below:
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