Che and Miami...

[dksu]

I think it would be useful to start a thread so that some of the more knowledgeable people in this forum can refute the arguments typically given by members of the Cuban exile community about Che and Cuba more generally.

Some examples;

- the 'testimony' that Che was a ruthless opportunist from some of his former comrades, even murdering 14 year-old boys - this kind of bullshit.

- that Che was a madman who wished to provoke nuclear war.

- that the effectiveness of Cuba's health-care system is merely an illusion, essentially a PR campaign to win supporters in the outside world.

- that at times, the rationing of food in Cuba was so sparse that it was a less amount than was granted to slaves by their owners.

- that Che 'loved killing' and thus had no qualms with the murder of innocents.

- that various battles that Che and the guerrillas participated in were exaggerated in scope, and were really not very heroic at all.

Obviously, these claims are out to lunch, and many are merely a case of warping context as to convey Che and Cuba in a manner that is politically expedient. However, many of these arguments (however warped, idiotic, or based on false or faulty evidence) are used frequently, and I feel that it would be extremely useful to compile a list of the slanders against Che and the Cubans, complete with cited rebuttals. I see that the rumour that Fidel and Che became mortal enemies has already been refuted by some - very useful material.

Anyways, I'm not incredibly knowledgeable about Cuba, but it seems like many here are. I would certainly be grateful of anyone could help arm others and myself with the knowledge to help put an end to this madness ;p.

[Gitfiddle Jim]

I've often heard an argument that Che hated blacks and was extremely racist. LOL.

[thescarface1989]

I've often heard an argument that Che hated blacks and was extremely racist. LOL.




Quotes by Che... I don't support him. Wear those shirts and support racism, intolerance and mass murder.

The Negro is indolent and lazy, and spends his money on frivolities, whereas
the European is forward-looking, organized, and intelligent.
-- Che Guevara

“We’re going to do for blacks exactly what blacks did for the revolution. By which I mean: nothing.”
- Che Guevara in radio discussion with Luis Pons

Mexicans are a band of illiterate Indians.
-- Che Guevara
Posted by some guy at another forum
Im sure all of them were taken completely out of context.

[Black Cross]

Read "Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life", by John Lee Anderson. John Lee Anderson chronicled, basically, Che's whole life, and he was with him throughout almost all of the Cuban revolution. It refutes most of the bullshit about him being a cold-blooded killer and shit like that. He only killed those reactionaries who would threaten the revolution; those who were found guilty by the revolutionary "court" (i believe that's the term they used).

And, don't quote me on this (cos im high and I read that book a long while ago), I think the racism was from his upbringing cos they had black slaves and he was raised to find them lower than he is. But that faded with time as he realised they were just oppressed (and as he realized he was kind of a racist).

[dksu]

Interesting, though I don't know about his family owning slaves. IIRC his 'racist' comments came at a time when he was attempting to organize revolution in the Congo. He was extremely frustrated and distraught at the failure of the military operations as well as the failure of socialism to overcome the more dominant nationalistic/tribal tendencies. Horrible things to say, no doubt, but a lot less vicious when put in proper context. The claim that he was a racist seems even more ridiculous when we take into account his co-operation with the 'Black Liberation Army' in the U.S., and the Black Panthers' links with Cuba.

I'll add another one to the list;

- that Cuban schoolchildren are 'brainwashed' into snitching on their parents who may or may not be counter-revolutionaries.

[thescarface1989]

Interesting, though I don't know about his family owning slaves. IIRC his 'racist' comments came at a time when he was attempting to organize revolution in the Congo. He was extremely frustrated and distraught at the failure of the military operations as well as the failure of socialism to overcome the more dominant nationalistic/tribal tendencies. Horrible things to say, no doubt, but a lot less vicious when put in proper context. The claim that he was a racist seems even more ridiculous when we take into account his co-operation with the 'Black Liberation Army' in the U.S., and the Black Panthers' links with Cuba.

I'll add another one to the list;

- that Cuban schoolchildren are 'brainwashed' into snitching on their parents who may or may not be counter-revolutionaries.


I think your right on that, it was probably frustration from the guys he tried to work with in the Congo which eventually turned into a failure. I remember on one of my documentaries that said most of the blacks Che worked with wanted to be "rich" and live a "luxurious" life, Che then told one of his comrades "With a mindset like that the blacks can expect another era of slavery" or something like that, I don't remember the exact quote.

[thescarface1989]

Here is the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX8kIPHVkI8

starts at 1:19-2:00

[darkened day 92]

He wouldne't have gave a shit for a revolution in africa if he hated blacks.

[thescarface1989]

He wouldne't have gave a shit for a revolution in africa if he hated blacks.

Exactly, Its so obvious I cant believe its even suggested by the Cuban exiles.

[Gitfiddle Jim]

He wouldne't have gave a shit for a revolution in africa if he hated blacks.

Which is the exact argument I use back to 'em.

[coda]

<<John Lee Anderson chronicled, basically, Che's whole life, and he was with him throughout almost all of the Cuban revolution.>>

no true or correct. Jon Lee Anderson never met Che.