John Leguizamo’s gone and done it! “Latin History for Morons” is a smash hit one-man Broadway show based on a personal event in the life of John Leguizamo that promotes Latin pride. I can only express how much I loved this show. I am saddened that I was only able to see it the day before it’s final performance. And I could only summarize this show as: “Literally a whimsical and funny rendition of a much-needed history class.”
In "Latin History for Morons," John tells the story of his son being racially bullied at his private school and is being called a “beaner” or a “spic.” Continuing forward, his son is later called upon to do an assignment by the end of the school based upon finding a Latin hero.
Finding it difficult, John is asked for help and goes on his own journey to find a suitable hero for his son. John Leguizamo spotlights the controversial issue and pulls in all the stops when it comes to how much society has shadowed the existence of the Latin American community. “I’m looking for Latin heroes and Latin contributions, and I’m looking from cover to cover and there’s nothing about us, nada-culo, dick. Not one chapter, not a mention, not a single goddamn name, like we were absent all these centuries,” John stresses while going through his son’s textbooks and other famous history books.
John starts to create his own discovery. And may I say, he does a great job trying to find a hero and going into the historical field of Latin history as he creates his own form of “Ghetto Scholars” through the audience. John Leguizamo really nails in the educational field and tries to bring his inner “Ghetto Latin Rage” as he states from meeting with his therapist.
Throughout the play, Leguizamo does a phenomenal job at being historically accurate with narrative reenactments of the genocide of the Mayans, Incas, Aztecs, Tainos and Native Americans during colonization. Through this history lesson, Leguizamo creates the statement of “weaponizing history” as he creates the field that everyone should embrace their ancestry and defy what society brushes under the table or shadows over. At moments during the show, it did become a political statement. However, he didn't milked the jokes or statements the way other comedians would do so (i.e- Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, George Lopez, etc.). While other times, Leguizamo managed to pull the audience in with interactive acting and memorable quotes that stick for a lifetime. Such as
“Latin women are strong.”
“Violence is the lowest form of communication.”
John Leguizamo does well with reeling in an audience, as he continues his main narrative of the interactions with his son and the problems he’s facing with finding a Latin hero. As he cleverly finds new inspirations in people his son wouldn’t consider much of a hero, examples like Montezuma, Loreta Janeta Velazquez, and the Mayans. During those times, the heartstrings of the audience have been honestly pulled and you start to lean forward into your seat and become well invested into who John is, a caring father and a proud Latino.
As a young 20-year-old Puerto Rican man with Taino ancestry, I felt ultimately uplifted and empowered by this show from the beginning straight to the end. I’ve always accepted my background as a Puerto Rican/Taino/Latino man but I’ve never fully been able to come to terms of having any empowerment or invigorating feelings. It felt arguably almost the same level of empowerment from others watching "Black Panther" (2018), or "Wonder Woman" (2017).”
Throughout the show, I just honestly felt empowered to the 100th power. From having John break out into dances like Mambo, Tango, Merengue or Salsa from famous songs like "La Vaca" by Mala Fe, or "Suavemente" by Elvis Crespo. Not only were they funny and fun for the audience and I, I just felt at home. For a young Latinx, it feels great to sit through this amazing show and learn more about my own history than any history class could ever freakin’ teach me. Not only does the show create that home atmosphere, the final piece of the show reels it all in and completely melts everyone’s heart and makes me want to not just cry but I swear I was the first to stand up and applaud. John’s son finds his true Latin hero and makes a speech:
"I have lots of hero in me -- because I am Frida Kahlo and I am Cesar Chavez. I am Menudo and I am Sonio Soto Mayor. And I am definitely not Ted Cruz.
“If the Mayans invented the concept of zero, then nothing is not nothing. If they can make something out of nothing, then my hero is me.”
- Buddy, John Leguizamo’s son.
If the show was to ever come back or have a TV Movie like John Leguizamo’s “Ghetto Klown" (which is really great by the way, and I suggest you all watch or pick up the graphic novel), I would totally re-watch it every time until the freakin' remote breaks or the cable box explodes. I loved “Latin History for Morons,” for I am a ghetto scholar and a proud member of the Latinx community. So thanks, John Leguizamo, from one ghetto scholar to another.
