Dear Editor,
I have not been myself since I learned about the passing of Dr Lawrence Clarke. There was so much I wanted to say but found difficulty finding the right words or where to start. Saying that Guyana has lost a brilliant scholar is the understatement since independence. Yet, for all his greatness, not many today know about him. Note people’s response to the news item – hardly knew the man and such like. In tribute persons referred to him simply as banker Lawrence Clarke. Given this man’s stature, Lawrence should not go without Doctor before it, but it is expected and understandable – Dr Clarke’s escapade in post-independence politics was short lived. I also want to believe that Dr Clarke has also played down being a professor, but I will dig some more about that.
I spent the last few days waiting to see what tributes the more knowledgeable would present on behalf of Dr Clarke. Mr Eric Phillips did well in paying tribute by giving a credible history of Dr Clarke, while the PNC’s effort was lacklustre. But even Mr Phillips’s great effort falls short of expressing the significance I see in Dr Clarke’s abilities and scholarship as a Guyanese, and why those qualities were never used to enhance/advance Guyana.
Mr Phillips focused somewhat on Dr Clarke’s achievements at Queen’s College, but while still in his teens/early twenties Dr Clarke was considered one of the most, if not the most vibrant member of the Young Socialist Movement (YSM). He was the Chairman of the Plaisance/Sparendaam body, of which, in my teens I was an ordinary member. Dr Clarke was competing with the young Robert Corbin, who was heading a Georgetown Group, before the fire that took out the first Congress Place at New Market and Camp Streets.
It was obvious that the young Dr Clarke was destined for big things in the party. Other than his academic prowess he possessed the physical features, charisma and oratory skills of a Forbes Burnham. Out of many credible aspirants Dr Clarke was selected to head a world youth conference in 1970. (There may have been another Guyanese in that group. I need help on that. I’m writing from memory). Then for some unknown reason, after returning from that conference Dr Clarke threw himself wholeheartedly into his job at the bank, unceremoniously ending his political aspirations. The Plaisance YSM crumbled after that.
In 1978, at the tender age of 27, Dr Clarke was scooped up by the World Bank, where he remained serving with excellence, up to his passing. Between QC, YSM and 1978, Dr Clarke was credited with being the youngest Deputy General Manager of the Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB).
I have never been able to find out why Dr Clarke made such a drastic shift – what demons did he embrace to help him with his decision. It would have been insignificant if it were not for the fact that Guyana did not seem to benefit from Dr Clarke’s presence at the World Bank, even while his ‘party’ was in the administration. Dr Clarke’s exit and seeming non-association in Guyana’s politics is significant. Also of significance is his decision to take up residence in Africa. Except for a few years ago when it was announced that Dr Clarke had some responsibilities for the Caribbean countries, his association with Guyana seems to have been limited to vacation involving friends and family.
Dr Clarke was a personal role model. I have always wanted to know what did he see or realize, which caused him to make an about turn. What is it about Guyana that causes its most brilliant and brightest to prefer to serve elsewhere? It is a pity that Guyanese know so little about this particular gifted son. I, who brushed shoulders with him, am crestfallen. Rest in peace my dear friend. To Dr Clarke’s family and friends I extend sincere condolences.
Yours faithfully,
F Skinner
