The Cuban activist Avana De La Torre had a curious and revealing encounter in Barcelona when she came across three young people, one of whom was wearing a t-shirt featuring an image of Ernesto Che Guevara.
De La Torre, who has dedicated a significant part of his activism to raising awareness about the reality of the Cuban people under the communist regime, decided to talk with the young people to understand their views on the figure they had printed.
In a video shared on her Facebook account, the activist recounted that, to her surprise, the young people had no idea who Che was. One of them even suggested that he might be a famous actor, which led her to reflect on the widespread ignorance that exists regarding the late Argentine guerrilla.
"That moment made me reflect on the profound ignorance that exists about the history of figures like Che," he said.
"For me, as a Cuban, it's a shame to see how his image has become a symbol of rebellion and marketing, without people understanding that he was a murderer of thousands of Cubans," she added.
De La Torre took the time to explain to them that Guevara was not an artist or an innocuous symbol of rebellion, but rather a figure involved in executions, repression, and acts of intolerance.
In the video, he is seen handing out written material with detailed information about Guevara's true history, trying to illustrate his point of view based on documented historical facts.
"It is the story of our country. (...) He is not a singer, he is a bad person, he is a murderer," she explained firmly as the young people listened attentively.
In his online message, De La Torre stated that he feels it is his duty to alert the world about what he considers the undue glorification of a person who caused great harm.
He recalled that in Cuba "not only did he sign execution orders, but he also actively participated in the repression of those who opposed his vision. His ideology was classist, elitist, homophobic, and racist, and his legacy is stained by violence and intolerance."
"It is essential that we understand who the icons are that we wear on our shirts," he emphasized.
The meeting at the Citadel of Barcelona generated supportive opinions on social media, where users voiced their support for De La Torre's educational work.
For the activist, what matters is that the truth is known and that everyone, when wearing an article of clothing or defending a symbol, does so with awareness and understanding of what it represents.
Frequently asked questions about the activism of Avana de la Torre and the figure of Che Guevara
Who is Avana de la Torre and what is her activism?
Avana de la Torre is a Cuban activist known for her fight for human rights and the freedom of political prisoners in Cuba. She has participated in numerous protests and has utilized digital platforms to highlight the repression on the island. Her activism focuses on denouncing the precariousness of the healthcare system in Cuba and the lack of attention to the most vulnerable.
Why did Avana de la Torre confront young people wearing Che Guevara t-shirts in Barcelona?
Avana de la Torre met with young people wearing shirts featuring the image of Che Guevara and decided to talk to them to see if they knew the story behind the icon they were displaying. She discovered that the young people did not know who Che was, which led her to explain his involvement in executions and repression in Cuba. This encounter highlighted the lack of knowledge about the true history of Che Guevara.
What is Avana de la Torre's opinion on the image of Che Guevara?
Avana de la Torre criticizes the glorification of the image of Che Guevara, viewing it as a symbol of rebellion lacking historical understanding. She states that Che was responsible for acts of violence and repression in Cuba, and that his ideology was classist and homophobic. De La Torre aims to raise awareness about what she considers an improper glorification of a figure who caused significant harm.
How does the public react to the actions of Avana de la Torre?
The actions of Avana de la Torre generate divided opinions on social media. Some users support her educational work and her attempt to raise awareness about the Cuban reality, while others accuse her of imposing her view of history. However, for De La Torre, what matters is that the truth is known and that people are aware of the symbols they defend.
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