Fresh Air John Leguizamo Gives The Untold Story Of Latinos In America
Oct 2, 2024
John Leguizamo, an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor and activist, dives into the untold stories of Latino contributions to U.S. history. He discusses his PBS docuseries, VOCES American Historia, and his mission to reshape historical narratives that often overlook Latino voices. Leguizamo also reflects on his journey through performance art and the importance of authentic representation in Hollywood. He highlights the intersection of art, politics, and cultural identity, emphasizing the transformative power these stories have on community engagement.
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Inspiration for Docuseries
- John Leguizamo's son was bullied and lacked Latino representation in his history textbook.
- This inspired Leguizamo to create the docuseries, "Voces: American Historia."
Missing History
- A study revealed that 87% of Latino contributions to American history are missing from textbooks.
- Leguizamo aims to rectify this with his docuseries, presenting evidence-based historical facts.
Latino vs. Hispanic
- "Hispanic" denotes Spanish speakers, primarily from Spain.
- "Latino" signifies those from Latin America, the Caribbean, etc., emphasizing shared experiences of colonization and oppression.
