Book Analysis, Abina, determinations
The book gives a story about a young woman who was living in the West Africa during the nineteenth century who managed to escape enslavement. The woman took issues with her master, and she took her master to court. Through her testimony, the book explores the realities of life for people whose voices would not normally be preserved for future generations. The book reverses the silencing of young, the poor and the enslaved people who are treated as subjects rather than people who have their voices. Abina was a poor girl in the British Gold coast colony but through her determination, she managed to take a powerful master to court and made the administration hear her testimony. The life story and arguments of Abina have become important today as an argument to fight human rights, and to value the voices of people as open.
People have a problem in understanding colonialism in that only some voices are preserved or written down. Abina could neither speak nor read English so her voice could have easily lost. It of great importance for less powered persons to hear the cry of the poor disempowered before them, since this is the only way that helps them becomes world citizens (Getz). Getz thinks that Africanists often wonder if, in any way, their works become valuable to Africans. This only increases our ability to understand our past and to realize that our comprehension of nationalism and patriotism widened when we listened to the voices of those who challenges the daily obstacles we face. To accomplish this is by utilizing sources and interpret them critically to bring a better understanding on our history.
[...] The lyrics were entirely composed of texts from the letters by Vanzetti to his father. Woody Guthrie did something similar that uncovers the appeal to the judge in the case. Baez and Guthrie committed to letting their audiences hear their voices. Getz made the similar commitment when he included the totality of Abina's testimony in Abina and the Important Men and followed the graphic history interpretation that has formed the basis of the book. “Aluta continua” by Bongi Makeba-performed by Miriam Makeba. [...]
[...] She insisted on being heard, and her insistence is a reflection of the only way to stop the big men on achieving dominance over the world. Bob Marley's song “small reminds the evil men who play hard to get, but are not smart that no matter how big they are like a tree, the minority just like a small axe are ready to cut them down. Marley encourages us to struggle hard since we cannot prosper with weak hearts. Abina never gave up although he lost the case; she left a point that the oppressed too can be heard in the presence of the oppressors. [...]
[...] This only increases our ability to understand our past and to realize that our comprehension of nationalism and patriotism widened when we listened to the voices of those who challenges the daily obstacles we face. To accomplish this is by utilizing sources and interpret them critically to bring a better understanding on our history. The impacts of Abina's actions have been greatly reflected by a number of artists across the world in their lyrics that give us a clear reflection of Abina's struggles and determinations. [...]
[...] She was working for a eurafrican translator who helped her take her former master to court. She argued that her former master should be imprisoned due to her experience as a slave. Abina lost the case to her former master since neither the British judge nor the local men jury sided with her. 2000- The book Abina and the important men is published. by Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra The song by Antibalas Afrobeat the orchestra; the New York-based band's common folk give us an understanding on Abina's story. [...]
[...] Liz, C. Abina and the Important men today, A Graphic History, New York, Oxford Print. Parmet, H. S. (1980). Jack: The struggles of John F. Kennedy. New York: Dial Press. [...]
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