Video The Passion Of Reverend Ruckus de Aaron Mcgruder 2025 Lyrics Lyrics

Aaron Mcgruder - The Passion Of Reverend Ruckus Lyrics

Scene in Clouds

Ruckus: My stars and God, president Ronald Reagan, my hero! Is this Heaven?

Ronald Reagan: Not just Heaven, Ruckus, white Heaven. You see, there are many different types of people, Ruckus, so God created many separate but — well, for the most part — equal heavens.

Ruckus: You don't say?

Ronald Reagan: white Heaven is for decent, good, God-fearing Christians who just happen to, well, hate everyone and everything relating to black people. That means no Muhammad Ali, no hip-hop music, and no fucking Jesse Jackson.

Ruckus: What about Whoopi Goldberg?

Reagan: Nope.

Ruckus: Ohhh! This is Heaven!

Reagan: Turns out that God really doesn't have that much of a problem with racism: he doesn't even remember slavery, except in February. Personally, I hate black people, Ruckus. That's why I did everything I could to make their lives miserable: crack? Me. AIDS? Me. Reaganomics? C'mon, I'm in the name. And God has rewarded me. You know why, Ruckus?

Ruckus: Uh, 'cause two niggas and two quarters don't add up to a dollar?

Reagan: Well, that, and because God loves white people. And if you teach everyone on Earth to love the white man, you too can join us in white Heaven.

Ruckus [waking from DREAM]: Oh, oh, oh, praise white God!

Cue Intro
Scene at house, Shabazz books everywhere

Huey: Okay, so this meeting of the executive board of the Committee to Free Shabazz K. Milton-Berle has now officially commenced. Let's see now, attendance. All in attendance, say "here."

Jazmine: Here!... [in a doll's voice] "Here!"

Huey: Jazmine, Mrs. Wellington isn't a member on this board. Now, first item on the agenda: our planned bus trip tomorrow to visit our illegally imprisoned brother and offer him moral support. Have we assembled our reading material and baked goods for brother Shabazz?

Jazmine: Check! I have the latest edition of Highlights and two-and-a-half Fig Newtons.

Huey: Two-and-a-half?

Jazmine: Mrs. Wellington got hungry.

Huey: What about the snacks for the two hour bus ride?

Jazmine: I got part of a Lunchable and half a bottle of Snapple.

Huey: Oh, so you just wanna drink the white man's poison, huh?

Jazmine: I don't...

Huey: High fructose corn syrup, read about it. It'll kill you. [pause]
Great, so we'll just get a head count for the trip. Everyone who's going, raise their hands... [no one] Ah, c'mon Jazmine, the man is on death row, he needs our moral support.

Jazmine: I'm not allowed to go past the second light post...
Huey: I hope you don't treat me like this when I'm on death row.

Jazmine: I'll go next time; I promise.

Huey: Well, he'll be dead next time, but I'll tell him you said, "Hi."

Jazmine: This is uncomfortable...

New Scene: Uncle Ruckus at Robert's door

Ruckus: God bless you, Robert. How are you this fine morning?

Robert: You're not a Jehavoh's Witness now, are you? Cause I'm in the Jehovah's Witness Protection Program.

Ruckus: Ha ha ha ha ha! Robert, I'm dying. That's right. Went to the doctor this morning. I only got six months to live. Tumor on the back. They call it Biggus Backus Tumoritis or some other big word that my tiny Negro brain and big lips can't pronounce. Doctors say they can't operate, but praise be to white God and his son white Jesus.

Robert: Well, I'm sorry to hear that Ruckus. You're not contagious are you?

Ruckus: Just contagious with the Holy Spirit of our Caucasian savior. I'm on a mission of God. Now, let me share his word with you. Come child of God, come!

Scene outside

DuBois: Do you know what's going on?

Ruckus: Please, everybody, everybody gather 'round, gather 'round to hear the Good News! God is white and he loves the white man above all others!
White Guy: Alright! Woohoo! yeah! Ha ha, yeah! [awkward pause] Sorry...

Ruckus: Don't be sorry, white man; only niggers and Mexicans are sorry. Nay, joyful God loves you. That's why he made his only begotten son in your image. God hates darkies!

DuBois: Heh-heh. Well, actually, I'm more of a caramel complexion... but I'm outraged all the same!

Ruckus: Here ye, hear ye. White God is a good god. Even darkies can rejoice, for even ones cursed with the skin of coal can enter the gates of paradise, if he hates his own blackness, in white Jesus' name! Amen!

Robert: What?!

Ruckus: That's right, Robert Freeman: you must hate thyself to save thyself.

White Guy: But, uh... we're okay?

Ruckus: What?

White Guy: We're okay, right?

Ruckus: Of course.

White Guy: Cool!

Ruckus: So who among this flock will join me so that the world can hear the message of love and redemption?

Robert: Ruckus, you done lost it this time. You really dyin'?

Ruckus: Praise God, yes, I am. Heed the word, darkies!

White Guy: I think you're onto something. Tell me more!

Ruckus: Well, first of all, the Gipper is standing at the Pearly Gates. There he wears the all-white suit, got some white tennis shoes, and...

Scene in Jail

Huey: At this point, we're resorting to what I call "desperation tactics".

Shabazz: Such as?

Huey: I've sent anonymous letters to the governor threatening to expose his gay lover.

Shabazz: I wasn't aware the governor was gay.

Huey: He probably isn't, but I figure about 10 percent of people are gay and probably half the people cheat on their spouses, so I figure we got about a 5 percent chance. Better than nothing.

Shabazz: Huey...

Huey: What? You're always saying I should have faith. Well, that's me having faith: random anonymous blackmail.

Shabazz: Huey, they turned down the final appeal. The execution date has been set; it's in two months.

Huey: Two months? That's so soon...

Shabazz: I've had a long time to come to peace with this.

Huey: It's not over yet.

Riley [talking to other prisoner]: Why don't you just holla at him?

Prisoner: I don't know, he's so detached. We used to spend all our yard time together, we used to lift weights together everyday; he doesn't even spot me any more, I think there's somebody else...

Riley: Jail nigga, you gay.

Scene outside church

Ruckus: You see, the blackness in our skin represents sin, which is why God wants us to hate the Black in us.

Random Black Girl: Yes, yes, hate the sin, not the sinner.

Ruckus: You got to... love God... got to...

Other side of the street

Jazmine: Do you believe in God, Huey? I believe in God.

Riley: First of all, I'ma live forever! But if I do die, I'm gon' smack God upside the head and gon' tell him to get me a grilled-cheese sandwich and some tacos!

Jazmine: [to Huey] When I want something or I'm afraid about something, I pray. Have you ever prayed?

Riley: And I dare God to say somethin'! I'll be like "Say somethin', God! Say somethin'! Yeah, I thought so!"

Jazmine: [to Huey] You should pray for Shabazz. God'll get him out of jail. They have to listen to him. He's God!

Riley: And if God say somethin', I'll be like this: [punches the air] "Ooh, Take that, God!" I'll be beatin' God's jaw like, "Pla-kow! Blaow!"

Back to church

Armstrong: Excuse me, Reverend.

Ruckus: Hey, hey, I know you! You're the Armstrong Elder. I seen you on the TV news. You're the only darky I ever seen make any sense on the TV news, Hallelujah! And you talk white too. That's very impressive for a monkey. No offense.

Armstrong: Uh, none taken. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to you about expanding our message.

Ruckus: I bet you have a white wife.

Armstrong: Yes, I do have a white wife.

Ruckus: Can I see a picture of her?

New Scene: Huey and Jazmine at home

Huey: It's called "Operation: Black Steel".

Jazmine: We should call it...

Huey: We're calling it "Operation: Black Steel". I like that name. We're not changing it... [awkward pause] What's your suggestion?

Jazmine [clears throat]: "Jazmine and Huey's Plan to Get His Friend Out of Jail"

Huey: Why's your name first?

Jazmine: Because I thought of the name.

Huey: We're callin' it "Operation: Black Steel".

Jazmine: Suit yourself... You'll be sorry.

Huey: What? [pause] Whatever... "Operation: Black Steel" works as follows:

Scene of imagined operation

Huey [narrating]: Shabazz K. Milton-Berle will be executed exactly 63 days from now. That night, there'll be a candlelight vigil. Grandad, who refuses to take an interest in the fatal brother Shabazz, will probably stay in the car and watch Friday. [scene of Robert laughing] One hour before brother Shabazz's execution, he will be taken from his cell and brought to the prison hospital where he will receive his final examination. At precisely that time, I'll fake a massive heart attack.

Crowd [shouting]: Somebody do something! Where's his parents? The kids dying, man!

[second of Robert watching Friday in his car]

Robert: Ha ha, that's so funny! "It's yo' ass, Mr. Postman!"

Return to scene at prison

Huey [resuming narration]: The guards will have no choice but to bring me in the hospital while Shabazz is there. They'll have no idea I'm a Black, radical freedom fighter until it's too late. I'll be able to tranquilize two of the guards right away. After that, I've got the stun baton.

Guard: We got a problem here!
[scene of break out]

Huey: We'll be gone before they even know what hit 'em.
[Return to house scene]

Jazmine: What happens then?

Huey: Then I move to Cuba for the rest of my life; that's assuming I'm not killed at the breakout. Yeah, this is a good plan.

[Huey narrates Shabazz story]

Huey: Shabazz K. Milton-Berle was actually interning for the Black Panthers one day in early 1970. He hadn't even earned his black beret and leather jacket. One fateful day, he heard a gunshot and the words:

[Cue words]

Eli: I, Eli Gorbinzky, hate deputy sheriffs. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I hate all police officers and parking enforcers, and that's why I, Eli Gorbinzky, shot this here deputy sheriff.

Huey [resuming narration]: Shabazz never investigated the gunshot, or the oddly expositional phrase Eli yelled out, but within minutes, the cops had busted down the door to the Black Panthers office supply shed and arrested Shabazz for the murder of deputy sheriff Gary Fife. Several people witnessed the murder: one had 8mm video footage; another happened to be a stenographer who had it all transcribed, including Eli's confession, which he oddly enough signed and dated. The murder weapon had Eli's prints all over it, which were clearly visible since he'd been enjoying a chocolate doughnut at the time of the shooting. There was also a receipt of sale attached to the gun, and the manufacturer warranty card was filled out, signed and dated by Eli. During the trial footage of the incident confirmed the stenographer's note that Gary's last words were actually, "Eli Gorbinsky killed me." After only 20 minutes of deliberation, Shabazz K. Milton-Berle was sentenced to death.

Younger Shabazz: Man, ain't this a bitch?

New Scene in a church room

Ruckus: Amen! White Jesus tells us and all of the inner paradise, we must hate ourselves to save ourselves. Sounds pretty simple, don't it?

Robert: I can't believe this crazy fool is trying to start a church.

Huey: Ruckus had partnered up with famous Black conservative Armstrong Elders to market his ministry. Elders was a media man; he knew just how to package Ruckus for the masses.

Ruckus on a TV interview

White Interviewer: So let me get this straight: you believe God is white?

Ruckus: First of all, white man, let me say that I love you, honor you, envy you, enjoy your smell, and I celebrate you in the name of white Jesus.

Interviewer: Um... thank you?

Ruckus: No, thank you. Look at that. That's a handsome young man, ain't it? Now, if God looked like Isaac Hayes, you'd think his son would look like this. [picture of Jesus]

Interviewer: So Black people are a—

Ruckus: Cursed! Cursed! Cursed! Just look around you! That's why we;re in the ghettos. That's why we're in jail. That's why we're in UPN. Because God don't like us! You think if God wanted to change that he couldn't? Hell, he turned water to wine! He could've changed UPN to CBS!

Newscaster: Reverend Ruckus and his peculiar message of race-based redemption has begun to spread, and fast. How fast? Reverend Ruckus will be holding a revival here at Woodcrest Post Pavilion tonight. Tickets are expected to sell out. Coming up next: time is run out for a condemned man whom many say is innocent, after this.

Scene with DuBois and Robert, watching TV

DuBois: I don't get it. Who would actually follow Uncle Ruckus?

Robert: We have to put a stop to this! We're going!

Scene with Huey in room

Huey [answers phone]: Yeah?

Shabazz: I'm calling you to say goodbye, Huey, and thanks for everything you did. It means a lot.

Huey: It's not over, I promise. I can't say much because I know people are listening, but... I promise you.

Shabazz: Goodbye, Huey.

Riley: Damn, Morpheus, what you 'bout to do?

Huey: I love you, man. [Hugs him]

Riley: Ew, nigga, you gay!

scene in next room

Huey: But Grandad, you promised to take me to the prison tonight!

Robert: Not tonight. Somebody has to talk some sense into Ruckus.

Huey: But I'm trying to save my friend.

Robert: Me too.

Huey: But I promised him! I gave him my word I'd be there!

Grandad: He's gonna die and there's nothing you can do about it! Ugh! You should pray for your friend.

Huey: That's all anyone can do for him. What makes your God any less made up than him? [signaling to the TV]

[Ruckus on tv]: Martin Luther King and all the colored folks died before him are boiling in Hell like a big dark chocolate stew, so hate the Black man in you!

DuBois [walking in]: Hm, hm, hm. Row 8, seats 44 and 45.

Final scene alternates between Ruckus preaching in auditorium, Shabazz in the electric chair, the governor in his office, and Huey by a tree on top of a hill during a thunderstorm. Huey's narration sets the backdrop

Huey: "Operation: Black Steel", the mission to liberate Shabazz K. Milton-Berle, was aborted, because I couldn't get a ride.

Ruckus: People say to me, "Ruckus". I say, "Huh? Who said that?" They say, "How do I make it to white Heaven?" Well, start by askin' yourself, "How is my relationship with the white man?" Do you celebrate the white man's goodness every day? Do you stop and thank the white man for the food you eat and the clothes you wear? Huh? Well, if you don't, you goin' to Hell. Now, I want everybody who isn't white to turn to a white person and say, "Thank you."

DuBois [putting his hand on white man's shoulders]: Thank you.

Ruckus: Well, there are those of you who say I'm a racist. There are those of you who say I'm wrong for hatin' niggas. Well, I call y'all all hypocrites, 'cause each and every one of you can name ten niggas you hate right now if you had to!

DuBois: I never thought about it like that. There's Tyrone... Leon... Oh! Eddie!

Ruckus: You don't have to admit it. That's okay. 'Cause I know you done already counted off five niggas in yo' head! You're like, "I hate that nigga Jamal! Oh, I hate Otis! I can't stand Usher!"

DuBois: Oh, my God, he's right! I hate Usher, too!

Robert: What?

DuBois: He's right! I think I hate Black people!

Robert: Tom, stop bein' stupid!

DuBois: No, I think I hate 'em all! I don't like Puffy! I don't like Kobe! I don't like... I don't like any of 'em!

Robert: Tom, snap out of it! Come on, we're leaving!

Ruckus: That's right! Somebody out there is feelin' the spirit!

DuBois: I am! I am! I feel it!

Ruckus: If you're Black of skin and full of sin, come forward so I may lay my hands on you. [slaps a Black man] Black, begone!

Crowd: Thank you, Jesus!

Ruckus: Praise white Jesus!

[man screaming in pain]

Ruckus: Now, I want everybody to find the nearest Black man and lay hands on him. But first, make sure your hand is balled up in a fist so you can beat the Black outta his soul. God smiles when you hate blackness, so you beat that darkie in the name of the Almighty! Hallelujah!

[The whole congregation starts beating each other. Granddad pulls Tom away from the melee.]

Ruckus: That's right! Ronald Reagan said, "Beat a nigga's ass and go to Heaven." God is good!

Huey [with tears in his eyes]: I never prayed before. I don't even know who I'm praying to. Maybe I'm too young to know what the world is supposed to be. But it is not supposed to be this. It can't be this. So please...

Attendant: Governor!

Governor: What is it?

Attendant: They found out about Raul!

Ruckus: Now, let us pray. Lord, I have spent my whole life hatin' you for makin' me Black. And now I see, I must hate myself and all those like me and cause them misery just like your servant Ronald Reagan did. And if any of my words don't come directly from the Almighty God himself, then may I be struck by lightning right this very instant! Halle— [Ruckus is struck by lightning and screams]

Scene of Shabazz, still alive, phone is ringing

Guard: What just happened?

Shabazz: Would somebody like to get that? I think it's for me.

Huey: The lighting bolt that saved Shabazz's life seemed to have struck Uncle Ruckus on his tumor. Doctors would find no remaining signs of his cancer. Some called it a miracle. Maybe there are forces in this universe we don't understand.

Ruckus [To men trying to pick him up]: Get your black, banana-peelin' hands off of me!

Huey: But I still believe we make our own miracles.

Governor: I don't know how they found out about us, but we have to end it, Raul.

[Raul cries]

Huey: Shabazz K. Milton-Berle was not free, but for now, the mission had been accomplished. I decided to take the rest of the day off. I wonder if there's anything good on TV.