Author to discuss landmark work at Winston-Salem State
Dr. Trevor Getz, author of the critically acclaimed “Abina and the Important Men,” will speak at Winston-Salem State University on Thursday, April 4 at 6 p.m. in room 207C of the Thompson Student Services Center on campus.
A first of its kind, “Abina and the Important Men” is a graphic history novel based on an 1876 court transcript of a West African woman who was wrongfully enslaved and took her case to court. Through Abina, Getz explores ideas such as slavery, freedom, marriage and identity in 19th century West Africa and how slavery and the struggle against it shaped the lives of people there long after the abolition of slavery in America.
The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will expand on Abina’s world as it looks at her plight and that of other women in similar situations. There will be a book signing and reception following Getz’s presentation.
A professor of history at San Francisco State University since July 2012, Getz also serves as faculty director of general education there. He joined San Francisco State in 2002 as an assistant professor and was named associate professor in 2007.
Getz earned his Ph.D. in African history from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies and his master’s degree in history from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He also holds a B.A. degree in history and anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. A former Fulbright scholar, Getz also received a research and creative work grant from San Francisco State that led to the publishing of “Abina” and earned the Distinguished Faculty Award for the 2009-2010 academic year.
