Betty Before X: Chapters 9–18

by Ilyasah Shabazz, Renée Watson
This novel is a fictionalized account of the childhood of Dr. Betty Shabazz, the civil rights activist and wife of Malcolm X.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Prologue–Chapter 2, Chapters 3–8, Chapters 9–18, Chapters 19–23, Chapters 24–34

Here is a link to our lists for X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon, and here is a link to our lists for Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. resolution
    a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner
    In three days, it will be a new year and Ollie Mae will take the Christmas tree down and we’ll all share our New Year’s resolutions and Arthur will lead us in prayer, like he does every year.
  2. trance
    a state resembling deep sleep
    Ollie Mae seems to come out of a trance when she hears Arthur’s voice.
  3. welt
    a raised mark on the skin
    She looks at the welts on my arms and the first thing she says to me is, “Now, let’s see what we can do about these tears.”
  4. heave
    rise and move up and down, as in waves
    But the more she holds and rocks me, my chest stops heaving up and down and I settle into her arms.
  5. flex
    exhibit the strength of
    And they flex their pint-size muscles around the house for the rest of the afternoon.
  6. lavender
    of a pale purple color
    The outer border is purple, and there are lavender pillows propped up against the headboard.
  7. potential
    the inherent capacity for coming into being
    Mrs. Peck says, “We’re so glad you girls have joined the junior league. Mrs. Malloy and I see a lot of potential in you. You young folks are being prepared to take the baton from us old folks and be the leaders of tomorrow.”
  8. baton
    a short staff carried to symbolize an office or an authority
    Mrs. Peck says, “We’re so glad you girls have joined the junior league. Mrs. Malloy and I see a lot of potential in you. You young folks are being prepared to take the baton from us old folks and be the leaders of tomorrow.”
  9. prejudice
    a partiality preventing objective consideration of an issue
    How even though this is the North and it’s not supposed to be like the South, it still has its hate, its prejudice, its inequality.
  10. inequality
    lack of balance or similarity in status
    How even though this is the North and it’s not supposed to be like the South, it still has its hate, its prejudice, its inequality.
  11. inhumane
    reflecting a lack of pity or compassion
    Mrs. Malloy says Negro people came here to escape lynching and inhumane treatment.
  12. simmer
    boil slowly at low temperature
    They found the smell of new paint for a grand opening, dinner specials being simmered, sautéed, baked, or fried.
  13. glamour
    alluring beauty or charm
    Found the glamour of a press and curl, a slender skirt, and crisp white gloves.
  14. soulful
    filled with or expressing deep emotion
    Found the sound of soulful music echoing from churches, parlors, or someone’s living room window.
  15. stubborn
    refusing to change one's mind or ways; difficult to convince
    Worry is stubborn—she won’t leave me alone.
  16. pamphlet
    a small book usually having a paper cover
    “With all due respect, I’ve told you on several occasions that I am not interested in your highfalutin boycott or whatever fancy pamphlet you’re pushing this time.”
  17. rhetoric
    using language effectively to please or persuade
    “Yes, I heard. I don’t know if I want to hear the rhetoric tonight,” Mr. Malloy says. “I know he’s trying to convince us that ‘separate but equal’ isn’t enough but—”
  18. desegregate
    open to members of all races and ethnic groups
    “Well, I’m not too sure that desegregating schools is going to fix the Negro’s problem.”
  19. integrate
    open up to members of all races and ethnic groups
    "...Why isn’t anyone talking about white children integrating into Negro schools? It’s imposing the notion that we are inferior, and by having our children travel across town, it’s imposing the notion that white schools are superior,” Mr. Malloy says.
  20. impose
    inflict something unpleasant
    "...Why isn’t anyone talking about white children integrating into Negro schools? It’s imposing the notion that we are inferior, and by having our children travel across town, it’s imposing the notion that white schools are superior,” Mr. Malloy says.
  21. notion
    a general inclusive concept
    "...Why isn’t anyone talking about white children integrating into Negro schools? It’s imposing the notion that we are inferior, and by having our children travel across town, it’s imposing the notion that white schools are superior,” Mr. Malloy says.
  22. contribute
    give, provide, or supply something
    “I know so. You think those white teachers are going to teach all children the truth about what the Negro has contributed to this country?” Mr. Malloy asks.
  23. status
    the relative position or standing of things or persons
    Getting colored people to realize just how much spending power we have, fighting for the advancement of the economic status of colored people—now, that's where real change for the Negro man will happen.
  24. patron
    a regular customer
    Deacon Boyd laughs. “This coming from a Negro who runs his own business. Of course you want us to be your patrons.”
  25. circumstances
    one's overall condition in life
    “Look here now, I may have graduated from Tuskegee, but I’m an ole country man from Arkansas. I grew up in the very same circumstances of every other colored man in this country, and I refused to let anything stop me from exercising my rights as a man, a husband, a father, and a businessman.”
  26. grace
    the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God
    “What are you talking about, easy? I’m here by the grace of God. Nothing about starting a business as a Negro man during the Depression, mass lynchings, and the Jim Crow laws was easy,” Mr. Malloy says.
  27. mass
    a large number, amount, or extent
    “What are you talking about, easy? I’m here by the grace of God. Nothing about starting a business as a Negro man during the Depression, mass lynchings, and the Jim Crow laws was easy,” Mr. Malloy says.
  28. thriving
    very lively and profitable
    “Not to mention keeping this business thriving for my wife and my daughter.”
  29. debate
    discuss the pros and cons of an issue
    He likes to debate with his customers.
  30. campaign
    a series of actions tending toward a particular end
    Mr. Malloy holds up one of the flyers. The top says selective buying campaign and there are two lists.
Created on Mon Feb 18 21:05:48 EST 2019 (updated Thu Feb 21 13:05:24 EST 2019)

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