Che Guevara

[Sinophile]

I have found a rather interesting video on Che Guevara the other day. His face is often seen on tshirts, and many other places. I find it ironic how he hated American Imperialism, yet his face has become so Ubiquitous on American Merchandise.

edit: Ok, I tried to find the identical video on youtube, but apparently Beck made many other videos ranting about Che and socialism. I do not wish to comment on Glen Beck in general, or even the actions of Che, but whether or not we should wear Che on our tshirts.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38mm4TimlLw

Edited August 22, 2010 by Sinophile

[grannywils]

I could not see the video, but I can say with a fair amount of assurance that I do not agree with Glen Beck (on just about anything). Regarding, Che Guevara, it is ironic, given his hatred of American "Imperialism" that his face is plastered all over so much trivial disposable merchandise. However, he has been a cult figure in the United States anyway since he was still alive and very active in the Revolution, so it is not surprising.

 

Just so I don't get into trouble, let me clarify one or two issues: A) As I said, I did not see the video, so I really don't know if I'm responding to some major political statement.

B) I do not believe that America was or is guilty of Imperialism. C) I have mixed feelings about Che Guevara overall; but for the most part found him to be an interesting, charasmatic individual with good intentions for his people, and the courage and integrity required to attempt to make a better life for them. Oh, and D) If I did not make it clear earlier, I think Glen Beck is an... Well nevermind. I'm just not very impressed with him.

[Surenas]

A 2010 film on Ernesto "Che" Guevara is just a less impressive hoax. There is already enough commonly accepted material present that deals with the man from all sides, politically, psychologically as well as iconologically, there are no unknown facets left, thus any additional attempt to repeat the already said or even to try a pert falsification of history turns out to be as nothing but foolishness, still there are folks alive that remember the old fashion icon pretty well as a legendary child of their time - the bygone era of Cold War and Permanent Revolution. Time has changed, ideals have changed, the enemy has changed, but the fools that have to say something never will.

 

No further comment intended in this case and no personal attack expected as a quid pro quo.

[JimboUK]

http://video.foxnews.com/v/3982573/the-cult-of-che

 

I think this may be the video, I can't be sure because it's refusing to load for me.

[ginnyfizz]

The video loaded fine for me, jim_uk. Very interesting.

 

Grannywils, you should give it a look if you can. Irrespective of what you think of Glenn Beck, and I really don't know enough about him to really say if he is a prat or not, it does point out the unpalatable side of Ernesto Guevara of which the buyers of the T-shirts are most likely in blissful ignorance. I have looked at sources other than the video, and even neutral sources seem to agree that the icon had a definite streak of brutality - he recorded details of executions he carried out personally in rather gory detail in his diary. And was rather fond of neutralizing opposition with a bullet.

[grannywils]

The video loaded fine for me, jim_uk. Very interesting.

 

Grannywils, you should give it a look if you can. Irrespective of what you think of Glenn Beck, and I really don't know enough about him to really say if he is a prat or not, it does point out the unpalatable side of Ernesto Guevara of which the buyers of the T-shirts are most likely in blissful ignorance. I have looked at sources other than the video, and even neutral sources seem to agree that the icon had a definite streak of brutality - he recorded details of executions he carried out personally in rather gory detail in his diary. And was rather fond of neutralizing opposition with a bullet.

 

 

Ginnyfizz: I promise to give it a look as soon as we get out computers to a state where I can open up this stuff again. It looks like I will be able to open Jim_UK's copy, but I'm not allowed to do so, for usage reasons right now. But I will as soon as I can, and I will get back to you. But I must repeat, that if Glen Beck is involved, I will unfortunately be going in with a juandiced eye (which I will make every attempt to control).

[ginnyfizz]

He does interview other people in the video, it isn't just Glenn Beck talking.

[evilneko]

I admit I don't know much of anything about Che Guevara. Seriously--he was either not covered, or only very briefly touched upon, in any of the history courses I ever took. Then again, most of the courses I ever took were focused on the US. I bet if I had taken a world history course in college, I'd know a thing or two about him though.

 

Considering the source of the video however, I doubt I'll agree with him. I can't stand to watch him.

 

I think I'll hit him up on Wikipedia. Che I mean, not Beck. Then I'll see about that video, assuming my browser doesn't reach through my monitor and slap me.

[grannywils]

I admit I don't know much of anything about Che Guevara. Seriously--he was either not covered, or only very briefly touched upon, in any of the history courses I ever took. Then again, most of the courses I ever took were focused on the US. I bet if I had taken a world history course in college, I'd know a thing or two about him though.

 

Considering the source of the video however, I doubt I'll agree with him. I can't stand to watch him.

 

I think I'll hit him up on Wikipedia. Che I mean, not Beck. Then I'll see about that video, assuming my browser doesn't reach through my monitor and slap me.

 

I think you will probably find much about him on Wikipedia. Basically he was a guerilla revolutionary figure. I believe he was born in Argentina and was a doctor and something of a philosopher, but was involved in many revolutionary activities all over South America. He came to prominance in the US when he was instrumental along with Fidel Castro in the overthrough of the Batista regime in Cuba. He was a much more intellectual and charasmatic figure then Castro, and he went on to do other things while Casro, who was Cuban, remained to become the leader of that Nation (with a lot of help in the beginning from Che). I have not seen the video yet, but would not be at all surprise if what Ginnyfizz says is true. He held a strong feeling of hatred for what he saw as war criminals and betrayers of the revolution. But, again I must say, I have not seen this video.

[ginnyfizz]

The fact that he got around a bit and stirred things up all over South America is one thing I have always found disturbing about Guevara. Revolution and bloodshed just for the sake of it was his stock in trade. I believe that he may well have started out as a sincere visionary, but got to like the slaughtering of those who opposed him rather too much. And whatever you think of Glen Beck, the quotations in that video, ie the bit where GB asks "was it Guevara or bin Laden that said this..." (it was of course Guevara, they are actual quotes)certainly prove that he had a violently anti-American bias and was, in effect, a terrorist.