A candle for Darcus

Darcus’ family lived next door to the Gloster Lodge Moravian School, which I attended in the late forties and early fifties, and I count his mother as one of the women who had an enormous influence on my life as I grew up. She certainly tried to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Our paths continued to cross as we both went to work in the General Post Office before he left for England I also believe those of us from east of the Dry River who went to high schools before the Eric Williams era had something in our bellies that said we could change the world. From Leroy Clarke up the hill in Gonzales to Daaga up the hill on Laventille Road and the scores of us in-between.

A lot has been written about Darcus’ advocacy in England and I hope his work with the young men on Observatory and Basilon Streets, in Renegades and the “Harpe” will also be documented and honoured. I know how it made a difference in many of their lives, helping to make them more conscious, confident and selfaware.

I hope they also lit a candle on Observatory Street in his memory.

I am hesitant to say rest in peace because he probably will continue to speak and act in that other space, but he may need and deserve some rest.

Till we meet, we honour your memory, Darcus.

Hazel Brown via email