This is My America: List 3

by Kim Johnson
Tracy, a seventeen-year-old living in Texas, tries to prove that both her father and brother are innocent of the crimes of which they've been accused.

This list covers to "Each One Teach One"–"Unthinkable."

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4
30 words 79 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. retainer
    a fee charged in advance to secure the services of someone
    “Yes. You have the right to an attorney; ask for one. But you probably don’t have lawyers on retainer. Who can you call to work on that for you?”
  2. repeal
    an official or legal cancellation
    “I’ve been following what’s going on with Jamal. We might be able to lend some research, although he’ll need to have his own attorney. We focus on conviction repeal cases, not ongoing—”
  3. bashful
    self-consciously timid
    I’m surprised by his bashfulness. I didn't think he was capable of being shy about anything.
  4. exculpatory
    clearing of guilt or blame
    Motives and suspects are what I’m mostly caught by: Exculpatory Angles written on the side.
  5. adversary
    someone who offers opposition
    If it’s not a cop, it could be one of our organization’s adversaries.
  6. coercion
    the act of compelling by force of authority
    Sometimes our investigation finds something beyond an error, something criminal: lies; coercion; a judge with a certain reputation.
  7. martyr
    one who suffers for the sake of principle
    Some people think we’re martyrs willing to burn down the whole justice system because one person might be innocent.
  8. estranged
    caused to be unloved
    Only Jamal tied them together, but even then, it was estranged.
  9. rampant
    occurring or increasing in an unrestrained way
    At the table, my mom was going off on how rampant Black crime is, it was only time before something like this would happen again.
  10. afflicted
    grievously affected especially by disease
    When I watch the news, I can tell without even looking at the TV if the suspect is white or Black. A “young man who lost his way” or “was afflicted with mental illness” but “had a promising future” = white. A “thug” with “trouble in school” = Black.
  11. distraught
    deeply agitated especially from emotion
    Rumor has it Chris was too distraught to go to Angela's ceremony, but each night he visits her plot here.
  12. adorn
    make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
    He hovers over her grave that’s still adorned with flowers, teddy bears, notes, and candles.
  13. cryptic
    of an obscure nature
    "What's with the cryptic call?”
  14. furrow
    make or become wrinkled or creased
    Quincy furrows his brow and lowers his voice.
  15. livid
    furiously angry
    Quincy was livid when he found out I confronted Chris at Angela’s grave.
  16. sift
    check and sort carefully
    Watch how they open up the boxes, sifting through and pulling files out.
  17. botch
    make a mess of, destroy, or ruin
    “I’ll have to look through everything to know for sure what might be missing. Innocence X has a reputation for revealing botched cases, dirty cops, politicians, and bad cover-ups.”
  18. subpoena
    a writ issued to compel the attendance of a witness
    I was able to get the name of the organization that owns the car, but they wouldn’t provide the driver’s name. Said I’d need a subpoena.
  19. conservatism
    belief in preserving tradition and opposing radical change
    The organization is called Liberty Heritage for a New America. They’re a special-interest think tank funded by ultraconservatives. This one has ties to white supremacists who use conservatism to cover their agenda.
  20. pending
    awaiting conclusion or confirmation
    “The case is officially pending review for direct appeal,” Steve says.
  21. thoroughly
    in an exhaustive manner
    “They could review it thoroughly or treat it like the others. The hope is I can get more evidence for a new trial.”
  22. negligent
    characterized by undue lack of attention or concern
    Anyway, isn’t this something you normally would do? It seems...kinda negligent.
  23. labored
    lacking natural ease
    My breathing gets labored. I suck in air to calm myself, but my panic grows.
  24. sullen
    showing a brooding ill humor
    Three smiling faces greet me: Steve, Dean, and Mr. Evans. Followed by a sullen Mrs. Evans.
  25. ordeal
    a severe or trying experience
    I immediately glance over at Dean, who gives me a half-cocked fake smile that lets me know it was an ordeal getting here.
  26. adequate
    having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
    “I can assure you, my Harvard law education and my work for my father’s legal clinic, Innocence X, have given me the adequate skills to take on this case.”
  27. demeanor
    the way a person behaves toward other people
    “Ma’am,” Officer Clyde says with a sullen demeanor before he shakes Mama’s hand and introduces himself again.
  28. connotation
    an idea that is implied or suggested
    Calling a Black man a boy has its own racist history and connotation.
  29. smolder
    burn slowly and without a flame
    Officer Clyde studies Beverly, who’s inspecting the smoldering wooden cross.
  30. minion
    a servile or fawning dependent
    The same suspects floated to me, knowing that Richard Brighton was under arrest but his minions were free to take action like this.
Created on Tue Jan 05 13:21:58 EST 2021 (updated Mon Jan 11 14:06:25 EST 2021)

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