That image of him is on T-shirts, posters, badges... Why is he a hero when other historical revolutionaries remain in infamy?
Other 20th Century historical revolutionaries were strongly affiliated with particular political movements, most commonly Communism (Lenin, Mao, Ho Chi Minh, Castro). While they were portrayed as heros within their own political spheres, the anti-Communist bent of western nations, in particular the United States, obligated a more villainous portrayal.
Che's politics were a bit different than those guys, however. Although he is superficially associated with international communism because of his role in the Cuban revolution and his close association with Castro, his politics can probably be more accurately described as a Marxist-influenced liberation (or Latin-American emancipation) ideology. He actually denounced Soviet-style socialism, which helped to distinguish himself somewhat from the great Cold War enemy of the west. However, in some respects his politics were even more radical, and he viewed the Soviets as sell-outs who were doomed to return to Capitalism (which, perhaps, he was right about). However, when economic isolation from the U.S. drove Castro to a closer relationship with the Soviet Union, Che renounced his Cuban citizenship and dropped out of the Cuban government. He then returned to his revolutionary roots, and lead guerilla movements in the Congo, and then Bolivia, where he was killed fighting.
So in the end you have an attractively paradoxical figure; a Marxist radical who hated Stalinist-style communism; a victorious revolutionary who renounced his top-tier political job to go back to fighting in the jungle; an attractive, educated doctor who was possibly the baddest ass of his time. Add in a final violent martyrdom faced with dashing aplomb (his final words were "Shoot me, you coward! You are only going to kill a man!"), and you have a pretty good recipe for romanticization.
hi! You may be interested in this recent post
Follow up question is there a reasonably unbiased biography of Che?
I believe when Che was around, he stood for revolution, hence the t shirts. Fighting against big brother, the government, rights for the little people, taking from the rich, giving to the poor.
he resonated with many people and still does today, as long there is protest, unrest, unjust, then Che will always have a place, be a face for change, revolution.
I just read and posted to an interesting link as well http://www.che-lives.com/what-do-you-think-was-che-guevara-a-good-man-or-bad/
Basically young kids rebelling will want to wear his shirt, face, in the same manor that they would wear a t shirt with a band name on it. it represents their thoughts, beliefs, likes and its a bit edgy.
I think he had the right intentions and ultimately gave up his life for his cause, people have their own ideas on this but basically he represents the little guy fighting for a better future and there are many of us like that .
/u/BlueStraggler gives a great historical answer and it's exactly what I would've said also. I would say Che, and to be quite honest most communist revolutionaries, are more nationalist than they are communist.
In terms of his rise to pop culture fame I would say it is because the commodification of dissent as described by Thomas Frank that appeals to people. Frank argues that marketers in the beginning of the 1980's are able to actually commodify the rebel/dissenter opinion for marketing purposes. Look at slogans for Arby's (Arby's is different. Different is good) or Hugo Boss (Innovate Don't Imitate). Both slogans appeal to the rebel/counterculture opinion and have somewhat paradoxically have marketed to the counterculture.
Che fits this idea of a dissenter and a rebel. Putting his face on a T-shirt is way commodifying the rebel attitude. The idea of being a rebel is something that Che t-shirt wearers want to associate with despite not being familiar with his policies.