Abina Important Men

Words: 1150
Pages: 5
Open Document
In the British colonies in Africa in the 19th century, there were a number of distinguishable changes when Britain abolished slavery and criminalized such activities. Trevor R. Getz and Liz Clark wrote Abina and the Important Men, emphasizing the role of women and the voiceless Africans who had the chance to be heard. The graphic interpretation illustrated by Liz Clarke captures Abina’s struggles, the documentation of the trial of life and presents to the reader a sense of injustice occurring throughout the graphic novel through gender discrimination in a patriarchal society. The graphic interpretation provides a meaningful authenticity of the historical document that it portrays within the original transcript.
Abina and the Important Men …show more content…
As mentioned in the book, “British were, by the late 18th century, the biggest proponents of the abolition of slavery worldwide were ironic, since they had…been the world’s largest slave dealers (Getz, 122).” Gradually, African men became entitled to basic human rights and were seen as superior compared to women. If Abina was a free woman as stated in the law, then how come she doesn’t get to enjoy any of the frivolous freedoms as men? This struggle of injustice is then true, but what is troubling is that Abina was being tried so unfairly. The prosecutor was trying to trick Abina into making statements that confused her. One can draw a conclusion that Abina’s case was not misrepresented because she was a slave, but because she was a woman. A woman at one point who wasn’t able to receive recognition of her status as a married woman. Historians may argue that if Abina was a man, there would be no story to be told. Slavery became to be socially accepting for the “female” condition in the Gold Coast region. Females, unlike their counterparts, were slaves that obeyed men when it comes to …show more content…
Throughout decades of civilizations, women are often ignored when they attempted to speak for themselves. History has shown many acts of silencing those without no accredited legal status and those who are willing to speak regardless of the status quo. Furthermore, some people’s perspectives were like it never existed. We know this to be true for the poor, illiterate, women, and in some instances people of color. Abina continues her case, “I know that nobody heard me, now I know that I might as well have kept silent.” Involuntarily, Abina’s battle against injustice became not only a fight for her basic human rights but also a fight for her voice to be heard. If Abina was a man, the results would have turned upside down and these similar cases would be seen as
Show More

Related Documents: Abina Important Men

Abina And The Important Men Summary

Abina and the Important Men is the story of Abina Mansah, a woman who had labored at various Asante farms and is sold by her old master, Yaw Awoah, to Quamina Eddoo. She learns that all people are supposed to be free; however, she had been sold and had no will of her own (Abina, 37). Afterwards, she runs away to Cape Coast. With James Davis, a court interpreter, she confronts magistrate William Melton to hear her case. Abina tries to convince a slew of “important men” ---William Melton, James Davis…

Words 954 - Pages 4

Similarities Between Imperialism In Africa And East Asia

Africa and East Asia was characterized by the expansion of the European control over the colonies. Even after the abolishment of the slave trade on the 18th-century, some African societies continued with the trade, which was the case of Abina and the Important Men . The new imperialism was a case of legitimate trade between the European countries, especially Britain that sought to replace human trade in Africa and opium in East Asia. Further, there were no clear regulations on the part of the colonies…

Words 624 - Pages 3