Abina and the Important Men: A Graphic History

Although many people see history as a series of facts about the past, the creators of Abina and the Important Men: A Graphic History demonstrate how the authors of history have the power to shape the way in which history is understood. Much of the novel’s interpretation of historical events acknowledges the influence of authorial assumptions in shaping a text and sharing histories previously excluded from discussion. This discussion illuminates the theme that history is a series of stories based on events and authors’ perspectives.

Trevor R. Getz challenges the notion of history being completely factual with the representation of Abina’s story, acknowledging that no matter how much research is done, “it is impossible for any historian to state truthfully that he or she can tell you ‘the past as it happened.’ This is true even when there are many records available, for it would be impossible to record the perspectives of every single person who witnessed an event” (143). This statement isn’t intended to make the authors of history feel as if research is for naught. In fact, Getz argues the opposite: Research should raise awareness and inspire more people to excavate, record, and share the unexplored stories of history, especially the histories of marginalized groups.

The breadth of perspectives needed to truly capture history is also meant to heighten readers’ awareness of the authors of history (in terms of their respective backgrounds and motives for presenting history in a specific way). Questioning authors reinforces the idea that history isn’t a subject of fixed facts and dates. History is a field for critical discussion and engagement that can shape the future. This theme also calls into question the role of historian. Rather than being mere archivers of facts, historians are “like detectives” because they “work with evidence—written documents, archaeological remains, spoken words—each of which provides only a small part of the story,” which they then have to put together to assemble a more complete picture (115). History isn’t passive—it’s a series of interwoven stories shaped by authors.

Justice can be tricky to define, but in general, there is an association between justice and the law, in that the law should uphold justice. However, in Abina’s pursuit of emancipation, this wasn’t the case because the people who built and enforced British law had reasons to avoid disruption (formally freeing Abina) to their economic and social order. This raises the question of what it means to pursue justice in a world built for others.

Although the law against slavery technically supported Abina’s freedom, it was interpreted by people disinterested in proper justice. However, the Gold Coast under Great Britain’s domain in the 1870s wasn’t supportive of people like Abina. She was African, female, and young, which meant she had few rights—but she still tried to pursue justice through the legal system as it was intended. She thought the outlawing of slavery would win her emancipation, but the law wasn’t written with equality in mind. The outlawing of slavery was a moralistic stance by the British, who often ignored it to profit off of slavery.

In Part 1, the discussions between Quamina Eddoo and his lawyer James Hutton Brew, as well as the conversations between jury members, reveal ulterior motives for keeping enslaved people and acquitting Eddoo. Even Abina’s lawyer, James Davis, harbors some bias, stating that “The British are doing their best to civilize this place with the help of men like me. It isn’t civilized to let girls run around free doing whatever they want, is it?” (10). There are many issues to unpack in this statement, but it’s important to remember that Abina’s lawyer did campaign for her freedom because he believed her. Still, his initial response reveals assumptions that shaped justice at the time. The notion that the Akan need to be “civilized” implies the problematic notion of “uncivilized.” To the average person with an education and voting power, freedom for young girls was believed to be “uncivilized,” a disruption to society. Many believed educated men guided by British ideals should control women and children, a belief that encapsulates the reason why Abina’s case was doomed to fail: Important men get to decide what is just. In hindsight, equitable justice can only be achieved through elevating voices from marginalized communities and providing a platform for their stories.