!Viva la generalization!

If there are private hells for the dead, Che Guevara certainly resides in his.\nThe Cuban revolutionary, born in 1928 and executed in 1967, became the ideal symbol of radicalism. Yes, he was a communist, but not a "bad communist" like Castro or Stalin. He fought against the dictatorial Fulgencio Batista, but he also spurred revolution against the West in the Congo. Guevara fought strongly for his personal beliefs but oversaw the interrogations and executions of political dissidents. Communists and capitalists can agree he lived an interesting life. But none of the details really matter to those who wear his face. \nIf you know Che Guevara, you know him as "that guy with his face stenciled on that red shirt." His interesting, bloody and short life has been distilled to yet another bit of capitalist merchandise. Being sold at Hot Topic is so "un-communist revolutionary."\nDespite the woeful ignorance many have toward Guevara, his image took on a life of its own. Many young revolutionaries see him as a hero, ignoring how easily he fell in with Castro's restrictive government. To wear his image is trendy, although knowing about the man is not.\nWhy do people brand themselves with images they don't fully understand? What causes a person to whole-heartedly attach himself to an object or symbol like Guevara? Che Guevara is just one example of people picking up and parading a symbol around with knowing little, if any, of its history.\nIn this overtly complicated society, we look for ways to simplify it. When news and conversations can be held in under 30 seconds, there is no room for detail. Knowing enough details to be nuanced is seen as being an intellectual show-off. Therefore, people indulge in black-vs.-white, capitalist-vs.-communist, and right-vs.-left modes of thinking. There are only two options remaining for each problem and only one is correct. I'm for everything X, so I must be against everything Y. \nDebate has degenerated to two immovable positions, and each position is an absolute. "George W. Bush is a complete idiot," "All Muslims are terrorists" or "Che Guevara was a hero for the common man." The nation is not just polarized in politics. Anything a person could possibly have an opinion on is now fertile ground for a simple shouting match. \nBecause our world moves so quickly, there is less time for rational debate. Talking points replace structured arguments. The sound bite is the primary expression for TV. Multi-issue magazine articles have made way for the "News and Notes" page. People don't concede their viewpoints anymore or accept compromise.\nPeople who wear Che Guevara T-shirts must have a reason for wearing them. It is perfectly acceptable to be upset about the inequalities of labor and management in this country. But if capitalism gave someone a raw deal, does that mean he must support communism? If a person is upset with U.S. foreign policy, is the only acceptable response to look up to a man who once told a socialist reporter that, if given the opportunity, he would have launched nuclear missiles at America? \nDo people who wear Che Guevara T-shirts promote his entire life or just the parts they agree with? Passers-by might never know. We assume if you support him, then you support all of his policies. Is this fair? No, probably not. But, then again, T-shirts and posters aren't exactly in-depth discussions.\nIt simplifies life to attach yourself to a ready-made opinion. Instead of creating our own attitudes, we attach ourselves to people and ideas without fully understanding the totality of what they represent. Instead of latching onto one man, take some time to create your own opinions. The human experience is more than just "for" or "against"