Reflection on Bert Tucker

By: AbdulMajeed K. Nunez

“We cannot import Moses

Moses needs to born and bred in his home town

These were Bert’s word when Farrakhan spoke at Bird’s Isler

Many did not understand its profoundness so they just smiled 
Well Brother Leo and I have been pondering a while 
Bert Tucker as negotiator like Theodore Aranda was versatile 
UDP tried to use him nonetheless he helped them with a smile 
He has seen their Jankunu before but his warning has been futile 
Both governments are simple deaf, dumb and blind 
All they know is to conquer and divide 
They need to prepare themselves for the shifting tide 
Like Garvey He’ll be kick ass from the other side

Belize just lost and Icon A patriot to this nation 
Bert Tucker was internationalist of Belizean heritage. 
He was a historian and a master teacher 
He encompassed the narrow confines of what we call Belizean politics 
He worked at the UN and throughout Africa 
He was an economist setting up sustainable development programs. 
BELRIV was one his passion and Samuel Haynes among others his Icon 
He also advocated for Belizeans in the Diaspora, 
Championing their cause for full rights as natural born Belizeans 
Adamant about their participation in the development of our motherland. 
Bert Tucker introduced the UNDP program TOKTEN to the nation 
This meant Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriates Nationals.

Speaking from the mountain top Of this giant in our midst 
I apologize publicly for calling you a hypocrite 
When in fact you were a prophet 
In giving thanks for his work and scholarship 
His many contributions to humanity 
He will be missed 
He helped raised the monies for the BRWA 
He was the one who was instrumental in Sedi and Dean 
Studying Law at UWI when George Price Was trying to block the way for these then boys 
Before they became Lord Ashcroft pet toys

Bert was always a down to earth brother 
Bert when the hypocrites saw nice things about you at your funeral 
Please do not curse like sailor 
There was no mincing of lexis 

He spoke direct 
He explained why both government were derelict 
Not into nation hood but there for their own profit 
He spoke from his experience His experiences were vast 
A brother who was a Harvard trained economist 
An adviser to Michael Manley in Jamaica 
An adviser to Maurice Bishop in Grenada 
An adviser to the governments of Africa 
In Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola 
Ghana under flight Lieutenant & President Jerry Rawlings 
Here we had a brother coming home To give of himself, his energy, love of nation state 
Yet like what was written a prophet would never be honoured in his own home town

Whatever the creator decided we will need to accept 
He was the ambassador for trade and international cooperation 
His personal Philosophy was to build the nation 
Improving the lives of marginalized Belizean 
He, Dr. Margret Noguerra, Brother Leo and other have devised as sustainable economic program 
The would help to uplift the citizens of this nation 
Through effective communication and collaboration With Venezuela, Latin America and the Caribbean 
By putting away all the divisive program for Belize’s black population 
He was visionary man and a fire brand

By: AbdulMajeed K. Nunez