CHE: HIS POOR PARENTS

Last night, I felt sorry for the parents of Che Guevara.

As I was reading the Jon Lee Anderson biography of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, I realized that he must have broken their hearts, and that of his whole family.

He was attracted to revolution and armed resistance against the USA. Yes, I think he was right to be outraged at the exploitation of Latin America, but I also think he was grandiose, self-absorbed, and perhaps even narcissistic.

Imagine the anguish of his parents. I know how long it takes and how hard it is to raise a child. How much of yourself you invest and sacrifice. It must have been more extreme here, with young Ernesto's debilitating asthma.

Now, in the book, Ernesto is in his mid-20s. His parents have spent all these years raising him, and protecting him, and supporting him, and they have put this brilliant kid through medical school, and they are so proud that he is a doctor.

As soon as he gets his MD degree, he runs off to pursue various adventures, and he goes to Guatemala, along with a lot of other left-wing idealists, to see a true revolution in action.

Then the USA invades that country and bombs it, to overthrow the duly elected government, because of our misguided fear of socialism and communism.

And there is Ernesto, in the wrong place at the wrong time. If circumstances had created a trap for someone who was young, idealistic, and foolhardy, he dove head-first into it. The experience radicalized him, to say the least.

How sad, tragic even. How could such a brilliant mind go so wrong? 

I wish I could go back in time. I'd say to young Ernesto: OK, help the poor. Become a revolutionary doctor. Work in a medical clinic in the jungle among indigenous people. Maybe run for office when you get a little older. But don't sacrifice your life. 

Last night, I flipped to the end of the book and saw photos of Che dead.  I couldn't help but think about his mother and father, and the rest of his family.

Such heartbreak. Such a waste.   

I don't know how much good he did in the world. We'll see. The book is a great history lesson. And a cautionary tale.

More to come. I'm on Page 164. I recommend the book.

-- Roger

© Copyright 2011, Roger R. Angle