Celebrate the Death Day

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Is Che still seen as a hero by the disaffected youth of America?
I'm a little surprised.
He didn't really get a foothold here, except on an occasional t-shirt or poster by someone who didn't really know who he was, but man he fucked the system, right? He lived fast and died beautiful, right? Fucking cool, man.

I might be wrong about making a UK-wide statement- I'd need Dani and Monster to verify that- but certainly round here he was seen as a terrorist.

Nothing like having your cities blown up and civilians blown apart to turn you off terrorists.

BTW I can actually see how privation in South America would make the populace hail a hero out of a murderer. If you're out of options you take the hand that's proffered, no matter how bloody it is. It doesn't make him a hero though.

I've always had a soft spot for Che Guavara. I think he was ruthless and violent, but then he was trying to overturn a ruthless and violent enemy. He was a fascinating and charismatic man, very clever. To point at him and say he was extreme is to ignore the extremities that created his mission. Nobody had clean hands. I admire his courage and determination.

In truth, Sundae, I think the Che has a mixed image here. There are plenty of Che t-shirts and he is still something of an icon to the left...but not an uncomplicated one. I think he is admired for what he tried to do, dared to do. But people are rarely pure heroes or out and out villains. I think even for those who admire him, or see in him the symbol of continued struggle, they also see the ruthless killer. He is seen as both a revolutionary and a terrorist. I don't think he's viewed as negatively here as in the States. There's more of an air of tragedy to his image here.