Henry M. “Mickey” Michaux, Jr, JD: 6th District

Abstract

Henry M. "Mickey" Michaux Jr., JD:6th District Judson L. Jeffries In the early 1970s Henry M. "Mickey" Michaux Jr. was part of a nationwide effort to get more African Americans elected to public office. Spurred largely by the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Michaux rode a wave that saw an unprecedented number of Blacks run for and get elected to offices that had long been held by White politicians. Michaux has the distinction of being the longest serving member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. Elected to the North Carolina State Assembly in 1972, Michaux became the first African American elected to that body from his hometown of Durham, North Carolina. Michaux served the 31st district for more than 30 years. In 1977, Michaux enjoyed another milestone when President Jimmy Carter appointed him US Attorney, where he headed the office in the Middle District of North Carolina. Michaux's appointment was the first such for an African American in the South since Reconstruction. From April to August 2021, Brother Michaux and I engaged in several conversations. What follows is a snapshot of those lively exchanges. Judson L. Jeffries: Brother Michaux, you come highly recommended by the Brothers in the 6th district, thanks for taking time out of your hectic schedule to talk to me. Mickey Michaux: What hectic schedule? I'm 90 years old and retired—glad to be of service—thanks for having me. JLJ: How did you come to this illustrious fraternity Brother Michaux? MM: Well, that's easy—my father was an Omega, and I had an uncle who was an Omega, so there wasn't any doubt what I was going to pledge. JLJ: What college did you attend? MM: I went to North Carolina College at Durham, now known as North Carolina Central University. In fact, I grew up right across the street from the school. JLJ: What did you study, Brother Michaux? MM: I majored in biology and chemistry with a minor in economics. [End Page 319] JLJ: Wow, that's pretty impressive; majoring in biology or chemistry alone would give most people fits, but you majored in both. You just taught me something Brother Michaux, I didn't realize that folk were double majoring back then. MM: Oh yeah, plus I minored in economics. JLJ: No, that would have been too heavy for me, I couldn't have handled that. MM: It wasn't easy, I'll tell you that. JLJ: You mentioned earlier that there wasn't any doubt which fraternity you were going to pledge. MM: No, sir, there wasn't. JLJ: Ok, let me finish Brother Michaux. MM: [Laughter] Ok. JLJ: When did you cross? MM: The Winter of 1950. JLJ: Did you go on line in 1950? MM: Good question, so let me clarify something. I crossed on February 4, 1950. I joined the Lampados club in 1949 and had to stay in the club for three straight quarters. JLJ: Quarters? You folks were on the quarter system back then? MM: Yes, we were on quarters back then. JLJ: Ok, so you were a Lamp for three straight quarters? MM: Yes, at the end of the third quarter, we were allowed to get on line. JLJ: By the way, what kind of lamps were you guys required to lug around? MM: The old-time kerosene lamps. JLJ: Those old things are heavy. You're not talking about the kind you can go pick up at Target, Walmart, or an Army/Navy surplus store … you're talking about those old-time lamps made of heavy metal and glass. MM: That's right [laughter], that's what I'm talking about. JLJ: You all were carrying around that heavy lamp every day while you were on line? MM: Every day we carried that lamp and walked around in a dog collar and chain. We marched every single day to class and the dining hall looking like that, except on the last day. JLJ: What happened on the last day? MM: On the last day, which was on a Friday, we wore tie and tails and carried a bucket of sand. [End Page 320] JLJ: What's...