Miko Kings

Chapter 4 begins in 1969, but this time in a new location: New Orleans, Louisiana. It is written in the first person from the point of view of “Algernon Pinchot, Assistant Professor at Morehuse College” (69), who is writing a biography of Justina Maurepas, also known as “Black Juice.” Algernon is persistent in his quest for her story, stating, “Three times this week I have driven to her home to attempt to arrange an interview, and three times I have been turned away. […] Her great- granddaughter, however, took pity on me and by telephone assured me of a one-hour interview” (70). Black Juice is known for her involvement with the Black Nationalists when she was younger, and there were two particular incidents where her activism manifested in the form of violence.

Algernon arrives thinking that he will hear inspiring stories from the legendary activist, but if getting an interview at all was difficult, convincing Justina to speak about the past is twice as difficult. She will only converse in French and evades some of Algernon’s questions. Gently, Algernon asks if he can sing some of the lines of a song about her, one that calls her the “Martyr of Hope” (72).