Abina And The Important Men Analysis

Abina and the Important Men is a graphic history novel written by authors Trevor R. Getz and Liz Clarke. The novel is a winner of the American Historical Association’s James Harvey Robinson prize due to its powerfully illustrated graphic history as it follows the trial of Abina Mansah in 1876. Throughout the novel, the authors argue that several women that have made history have been silenced. Getz and Clarke share this story to give voice to the women that when compared to men, were not seen as important. Abina is a young woman who grew up on the Gold Coast of Africa. Abina’s life starts off when she is born into Asante and is taken into the colonies with several other children as children workers. History makes it out to believe that during

In addition, the authors walk through the process of how they came to find the story of Adina, how it was processed and accurately turned into a novel, and what difficulties can arise from documenting history correctly.

If one was not living in the late 1800’s as an important business man, it was unlikely that their story would ever be shared. People without meaning had a hard time having a voice. In history, only a handful of historical events were ever recorded. Of those recorded documents, fewer made it to be archived or survived decay. Once a document becomes archived, it is up to historians to pick it up and decide if it is interesting enough to bring to the public 's attention. Lastly, of those who succeed in being chosen by a historian, only few can gain enough attention to win awards and important mentions. Given the provided transcript that includes the testimony of Abina Mansah and three other women and the historical context that gives off necessary background, one might feel comfortable in the authors authenticity of the interpretation of Abinas

Given that Adina was a poor woman that when compared to men lost means of power, her voice and her story were lost in time through history. Adina’s lost battle at court was seen as unimportant and through time pushed to the back of the bookshelves.

As historians and the public take a look at what documented events in history have been labeled as significant, the number of worthy stories involving men appears to be much higher than the ones involving women, “Much of the history of the Gold Coast is written about and by men like Brew, and Davis, and Melton, for they are important men” (79). Furthermore, while it might be argued that this argument is bias or unethical, philosopher and historian Michel-Rolph Trouillot states, “History is an act of silencing, in which those without power are silenced and those with power are able to speak” (78).

Overall, the graphic history novel powerfully illustrated the world 's history as it followed the trial of Abina Mansah in 1876. Throughout the novel, the authors successfully showcased the hardships that many faced as they struggled to be heard compared to those of higher power. Getz and Clarke shared this story to give voice to the