This is My America: List 4

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 "Taking Chances"–"Monday, September 27."

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4
30 words 58 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. falter
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
    I’m at least grateful that the uneasy feeling that was churning inside me, the one that screamed in fear but was overpowered by the need to be brave, has finally calmed down, like a smooth ocean wave after high tide. Rocky and shaky, but softening up with each faltering wave.
  2. affiliated
    being joined in close association
    “Hopefully, when they question Richard Brighton, they’ll find out who he’s affiliated with. Could be more suspects to look into.”
  3. nostalgia
    a longing for something past
    Allow nostalgia to fill me instead. We pounded across this grass so much as kids it stopped growing and created this trail.
  4. makeshift
    done or made using whatever is available
    With the light touch of a hand, I push the door and see the broad shoulders of someone sitting on the floor in a makeshift bed.
  5. inevitable
    incapable of being avoided or prevented
    You can’t outrun the inevitable.
  6. riddle
    spread or diffuse through
    No one riddled with guilt came bursting into the courtroom asking for forgiveness.
  7. sentiment
    a personal belief or judgment
    “Call the police?” Murmurs rise, hesitant voices repeating the same sentiment.
  8. splay
    turn outward
    His feet splayed, and a bloated face much darker than the rest of his body.
  9. lynch
    kill without legal sanction
    In this town I call home, a man was lynched, and people are living here who were complicit.
  10. complicit
    associated with or involved in some crime or wrongdoing
    In this town I call home, a man was lynched, and people are living here who were complicit.
  11. incite
    provoke or stir up
    The white cloak haunts me with its bloody history. The fear it shaped, and the lies they told to incite terror toward Black people.
  12. memorabilia
    objects that are valued because of their link to historical events or a particular interest
    Why would Mr. Evans allow his wife to keep memorabilia and records if he didn’t agree with these beliefs?
  13. racketeer
    carry on illegal business activities
    I grow frustrated until I find a story about an FBI raid in Crowning Heights, a short article on the second page of the local newspaper. Illegal guns, racketeering.
  14. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
    I’m realizing it’s not just us who are skeptical of going against the sheriff’s family.
  15. methodical
    characterized by orderliness
    We take slow, methodical steps. I retrace my route where I found the splatters of blood and flattened path in the tall grass.
  16. formality
    a manner that strictly observes all forms and ceremonies
    “Then call it in, Officer Ridges. Because I ain’t leaving this house.”
    Beverly winces at Jamal’s formality.
  17. thicket
    a dense growth of bushes
    Beverly points down the road from the thicket of trees toward Tasha’s neighborhood.
  18. intercede
    act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
    “We don’t need to manage it that way.” Officer Clyde intercedes. “I’ll bring him in.”
  19. protocol
    code of correct conduct
    “That’s what the station is for,” Sheriff Brighton says. “We’re following protocol on this. We can’t allow your family connection to rule how we do this.”
  20. pry
    move or force in an effort to get something open
    She clings to his neck, won’t let go. He has to pry her off, because he would never use her as a shield, as much as she’s trying to make that happen.
  21. cacophony
    loud confusing disagreeable sounds
    The chaos is a cacophony in my ears.
  22. administer
    give or apply, as a medication
    He immediately begins to administer aid to Beverly.
  23. ashen
    pale from illness or emotion
    A few minutes later, Officer Clyde appears from the back of the station, his face ashen.
  24. disheveled
    in disarray; extremely disorderly
    His silver hair is disheveled, stress on his face.
  25. receptive
    open to arguments, ideas, or change
    “But the DA’s receptive to dropping charges. He may need to serve some community service for running with a warrant.”
  26. relentless
    not willing or able to stop or yield
    I’ve read enough of your letters to know you’re a relentless advocate.
  27. bailiff
    officer of the court employed to execute writs and processes
    The bailiff calls us to rise.
  28. affidavit
    written declaration made under oath
    “We have reviewed a signed affidavit from a Sheriff Brighton,” the judge says.
  29. vicinity
    a surrounding or nearby region
    An official report filed by two witnesses stating that Richard Brighton was in the vicinity at the time of the crime, found by Officer Beverly Ridges in a sealed evidence bag, that was not turned over to the defense at trial.
  30. platonic
    free from physical desire
    “Completely platonic, don’t get excited.”
Created on Tue Jan 05 13:22:15 EST 2021 (updated Mon Jan 11 14:11:48 EST 2021)

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