Dear Editor,
I have always taken a keen interest in the careers of students with whom I had interacted, whether directly or indirectly. Regretfully, over the years I have had reports about some former students that were not too flattering. As one of their secondary school teachers, I sometimes ask myself where did I fail my students? Could I have done a better job? Must I bear some responsibility for the transgressions committed by any of my former students?
Upon reflection, the answer is, yes, I could have done a more thorough, or holistic job. During my teaching career at QC, I emphasized the academic, co- and extra-curricula, but too late did I realize that I ought to have paid far more attention to the development of good character – the ultimate fruit of education. I may have failed all of my former students in this regard, but to the best of my knowledge, an overwhelming majority of them, for one reason or another, have managed to maintain unblemished characters.
Henry Greene is not the only one of my former students whose personality may have changed – there are others. When I reflect on their various situations, they all have one thing in common: they have all acquired a lot of power, and power does corrupt.
I was a member of the teaching staff of Queen’s College (1961-1970), and had the privilege of interacting with many students who pursued successful careers in a variety of fields. Henry Greene was one of those students. Henry was the son of a policeman and lived just across Camp Road from QC in the Eve Leary compound.
Whenever I saw Henry, there was always a smile on his face. I remember him as an outstanding acrobat and tumbler. I remember him as a member of the QC Rosignol to Georgetown relay team, in which each team member ran one mile from Rosignol back to the QC compound, not only in celebration of the birth of Guyana as an independent nation in 1966, but also as a demonstration of unity in our diversity. I remember Henry as a soccer stalwart. I say, without fear of contradiction, Henry gave his heart and soul to QC, both as a student, and later as an alumnus.
I find it difficult to accept the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. In the worst of us, you will find good. And there definitely was some good in Henry Greene.
I take this opportunity to extend sincere condolences to his family and relatives. May God have mercy on his soul. Rest in peace Henry.
Yours faithfully,
Clarence O Perry
