New Definitions is a poetry series curated by The North Star that seeks to redefine common terms from a socio-political lens. These "new definitions" will give proper context to what America is and what it has the potential to become, for better or worse.

Defining Posthumous

post•hu•mous (adjective): following or occurring after death

Synonym(s): postmortem; Related words: belated, delayed, late

See also: Breonna’s name echoing; George’s name echoing; Ahmaud’s name echoing; Tamir’s name echoing; Philando’s name echoing; Sandra’s name echoing; Botham’s name echoing; Korryn’s name echoing; Quawan’s name echoing

See also: a Black life finally worthy of brick & fire & rally & march & legislation & solidarity & mention & mention & mention

See also: a field of tombstones chanting “I told you so” in harmony with the soil that grounds them

Defining Genocide

geno·​cide (n.) the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group; synonyms: decimation, carnage, eradication, bloodletting

See also:

a quarter million eulogies delivered by federal negligence

Breonna Taylor’s pock-marked apartment

George Floyd’s cry for mama

Ahmaud Arbery’s last run

Rayshard Brooks’ drunken slumber

Deadname death certificates of Black trans women

Under-resourced ICUs

A hood with more guns than library books

About the Author

Donney Rose is a poet, essayist, Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow, advocate, and Chief Content Editor at The North Star. He believes in telling how it is and how it should be

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