Abina and The Important Men is a collaboration of both Trevor R. Getz and Liz Clarke. Getz, a historian of Africa and also a professor at San Francisco State University in World History. This book is graphic history that tells the story of a real court case in the town of Cape Coast in the British Gold Coast colony of West Africa during the 1870’s. This case involved the plaintiff, Abina Mansah and the defendant, a wealthy important man named Quamina Eddoo. Abina (the plaintiff), believes that Quamina Eddoo wrongly enslaved her. Her enslavement resulted in her fighting to secure her freedom through the courts by filing charges against him.
The graphic history of this book is designed specifically for the classroom. It is divided into two …show more content…
Often slave tales or history is told from the perspective of a European slave master and an African slave. It is a common lesson to modern day America to know the foundation of this country. However, this story is a plot twist for the culture of slavery. The slave owner and the slave were both residing in Africa, which is intriguing, in my opinion. For example, after being sold to Quamina Eddoo, although Abina was owned by an important man, the person who monitored her duties on a day to day basis was a woman. Abina's slave experience, in this regard,gave the reader insight on what it may have been like an African slave. Mostly women were enslaved and while they were ultimately owned by men, the day to day labor that they performed was managed and controlled by freeborn …show more content…
I found that I became bothered by the fact that there was a such thing as women overseeing other enslaved women. It is strange to hear that a woman can see the pain, suffering and unhappiness of another woman and be silent about it. I’m sure that there were many days where Abina’s “manager” witnessed unruly and cruel punishment for minor mistakes and still she remained silent. Had Abina would have gained the support of this overseer she may have won her case. Rather than being supportive and wanting to see Abina succeed, no one came forth to help her. If there would have been someone who believed in Abina she would not have struggled with her case as much. I also disliked the dynamic of what slavery was culturally considered as in Africa. Most slavery that I have learned about in America could be identified by the slave and the owner as to what exactly was going on. The transaction between the slave owner and Abina’s husband was made privately and unknowingly. From the trading of Abina to the actual case being brought about it was shown what the tragedy of slavery was. Freedom is not something that can figuratively be proclaimed without actual tangibility. Abina showed the audience that it was not physical freedom that she was fighting for, it was mental.
Overall, abina and The Important Men is a enormous for the world history community. World History as graphic novels have been slandered by standard academic programs. Getz helps provide the power needed
The graphic history of this book is designed specifically for the classroom. It is divided into two …show more content…
Often slave tales or history is told from the perspective of a European slave master and an African slave. It is a common lesson to modern day America to know the foundation of this country. However, this story is a plot twist for the culture of slavery. The slave owner and the slave were both residing in Africa, which is intriguing, in my opinion. For example, after being sold to Quamina Eddoo, although Abina was owned by an important man, the person who monitored her duties on a day to day basis was a woman. Abina's slave experience, in this regard,gave the reader insight on what it may have been like an African slave. Mostly women were enslaved and while they were ultimately owned by men, the day to day labor that they performed was managed and controlled by freeborn …show more content…
I found that I became bothered by the fact that there was a such thing as women overseeing other enslaved women. It is strange to hear that a woman can see the pain, suffering and unhappiness of another woman and be silent about it. I’m sure that there were many days where Abina’s “manager” witnessed unruly and cruel punishment for minor mistakes and still she remained silent. Had Abina would have gained the support of this overseer she may have won her case. Rather than being supportive and wanting to see Abina succeed, no one came forth to help her. If there would have been someone who believed in Abina she would not have struggled with her case as much. I also disliked the dynamic of what slavery was culturally considered as in Africa. Most slavery that I have learned about in America could be identified by the slave and the owner as to what exactly was going on. The transaction between the slave owner and Abina’s husband was made privately and unknowingly. From the trading of Abina to the actual case being brought about it was shown what the tragedy of slavery was. Freedom is not something that can figuratively be proclaimed without actual tangibility. Abina showed the audience that it was not physical freedom that she was fighting for, it was mental.
Overall, abina and The Important Men is a enormous for the world history community. World History as graphic novels have been slandered by standard academic programs. Getz helps provide the power needed