When studying history, specifically Abina’s case, through a broader perspective, biases between a slave and his master was what determined the verdict in Abina’s case. The main issue that was heavily involved throughout the case was the background selection of the jury.
Narration provided in the text “Abina and the Important Men” exercises the disadvantages Abina had due to the background or status of the jury. “To be a member of the jury, you must speak english well, you must own land or have money, and above all you must be a man.” p.57. Although the judged valued liberty the selection process that was carried out went all against the plaintiff. Abina was a slave, uneducated and suffered a language barrier, and a woman which gave her a
The purpose of this essay is to compare three very similar cases, the Scottsboro Trials, Brown v. Mississippi, and the fictional trial of Tom Robinson in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird; and to prove why the defendant of the third trial never had a chance. Each took place in the rural South in the 1920’s and 30’s and involved the unfair conviction of young black males by all-white juries pressured by the threat of mob violence. Each lacked the evidence sufficient for conviction, most especially for the death penalty. Last, heroes emerged from each trial and made small but solid steps towards equal justice for all.
In the “final disposition”, the Supreme Court stalled their decision as Celia’s execution date grew near (123). Rather than fair trial, the question of her fate was a wholly moral dilemma (123). The author concludes that “Celia’s trial demonstrates that gender … was a significant factor in shaping slave law” (141). Because of her identity, Celia would not be given a fair trial, but rather, a performance by the judge. Ignoring her pleas of defense would discourage rebellion from other slaves and keep southern slave-owners in power. After Celia was found and returned to the jail, she was killed at the gallows (135).
The challenges and difficulties slaves faced at the time of Celia’s trial left white Americans viewing them with little entitlements. Celia’s trial brought a new perspective into society in a time where slaves, especially females, were without hope. Her story was a beneficial challenge to the institution of slavery because it reached the thoughts of many involved in the controversy during the 1850s and left an effect on the standards of
Von Daacke, Kirt. 2014. HIUS 3262 Lecture. Vol. Lecture on Slave Narratives. University of Virginia:.
The practice of slavery for men and women both presented equally sufferings. However, the white planation owners or overseers routinely raped women during this time. Women regularly had their children stripped away from them and sold into slavery. However, ironica...
Throughout history, it is not uncommon for stories to become silenced; especially, when such a story is being told by the voice of a slave's. Slaves were not granted the same equal rights as the free men. They also were not seen as whole individuals -- worth less than the average citizen, to be sold and traded as property. Abina Mansha was a female slave whom once lived in Asante but came to live in the British Gold Coast Colony during 1876, after being sold to Guamin Eddoo by her husband, Yawawhah. As Abina claims in her testimony, her purchase was no accident. "Slavery had been abolished throughout the British Empire, a law extended into the Gold Coast in 1874. Yet ironically, the demand for laborers on the growing palm oil plantations and in the houses of those who own them means that the trade in slaves into the Gold Coast does not dry up following the war" (Getz and Clark, 2011, p. 6). Abina And The Important Men: A Graphic History written by Trevor R. Getz and Liz Clarke, but spoken in different perspectives, helps shed light on Abina's personal lifestyle; while the date and location provides us with further insight on how the world reacted to 19th century Western culture.
In the early twentieth century, the United States was undergoing a dramatic social change. Slavery had been abolished decades before, but the southern states were still attempting to restrict social interaction among people of different races. In particular, blacks were subject to special Jim Crow laws which restricted their rights and attempted to keep the race inferior to whites. Even beyond these laws, however, blacks were feeling the pressure of prejudice. In the legal system, blacks were not judged by a group of their peers; rather, they were judged by a group of twelve white men. In serious court cases involving capital offenses, the outcome always proved to be a guilty verdict. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the plot revolves around a Depression-era court case of a black man accused of raping a white woman. The defendant Tom Robinson is presumed guilty because of one thing alone: the color of his skin.
Equity and justice is what we want to achieve for in our life, although it could not happen in every event. Under the institution of slavery, the unfairness is extreme obvious. Racism, Sexism and belief is the three major element separating people into different position at the time they born. “ Life is too kind to men, whatever their color(108)”, pointing out in the novel, I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem, which is written by Maryse Conde. The story is talking about life of Tituba, a black girl in the slavery period. Her birth is because of raping. Although her mom finally finds someone who really loves she, it doesn’t last for a long time. Killing by her white master since she hurts him. The life for Tituba is extremely
Juror #10, a garage owner, segregates and divides the world stereotypically into ‘us’ and ‘them.’ ‘Us’ being people living around the rich or middle-class areas, and ‘them’ being people of a different race, or possessing a contrasting skin color, born and raised in the slums (poorer parts of town). It is because of this that he has a bias against the young man on trial, for the young man was born in the slums and was victim to domestic violence since the age of 5. Also, the boy is of a Hispanic descent and is of a different race than this juror, making him fall under the juror’s discriminatory description of a criminal. This is proven on when juror #10 rants: “They don’t need any real big reason to kill someone, either. You know, they get drunk, and bang, someone’s lying in the gutter… most of them, it’s like they have no feelings (59).
Robinson trial; (2) prejustice and its effects on the processes of the law and society; (3)
Due to the increasing popularity of graphic histories, the story of Abina and the Important Men takes an original transcript and turns it into a colorful narrative. This graphic history recognizes the struggles of the oppressed, still facing infringement upon their natural rights after the abolition of slavery in all British possessions. Historians tell this story through the use of graphics illustrated with the use of the original transcript, while providing historical context. Although there are strengths in Abina and the Important Men, there are many glaring issues as well. This graphic story follows the story of Abina Mansah, an Asante woman under the employment of Yaw Awoah, who believes she was wrongfully enslaved by Quamina Eddo.
The case also sheds a light upon the unequal slave treatment that already belittled the black, but oppressed black women even more. Celia’s story about the relationship between her and her slave master, Robert Newson, brought attention to the unequal protection laws for slaves. The story helps illustrate the realities of slave life in America and the personal choices slavery forced upon slaves and slave-owners. The outcome of Celia’s trial was an eye-opener that slavery was definitely inhumane, and help influence the prohibition of
There are many leaders in this film making choices, while they were not all educated choices, like the Spanish who kidnapped the slaves and were working on the Amistad. To those like the abolitionists, their lawyer, and the former president, who all wanted nothing but justice for these Africans. Another detrimental decision maker in this story are the judges both in the Supreme Court and the state level they are both the ultimate decision makers and any choice they make, direct affects the Africans and others involved. While retributive justice is used to keep social order. In the context of the movie, these courts were used to keep social order, whether the outcome is or way or
In conclusion, women were considered property and slave holders treated them as they pleased. We come to understand that there was no law that gave protection to female slaves. Harriet Jacob’s narrative shows the true face of how slaveholders treated young female slave. The female slaves were sexually exploited which damaged them physically and psychologically. Furthermore it details how the slave holder violated the most sacred commandment of nature by corrupting the self respect and virtue of the female slave. Harriet Jacob writes this narrative not to ask for pity or to be sympathized but rather to show the white people to be aware of how female slaves constantly faced sexual exploitation which damaged their body and soul.
In order to support the abolitionist 's movement of abolitionism, Aminata decides to compose the story of her life without guidance using her words, her pen and her story. The day of the parliamentary committee address, Aminata reveals to the committee an indication of her childhood experiences. With her slavery instances, Aminata and the abolitionists patiently wait for the verdict regarding the inhumane process of slave trade.