Nowadays, a considerable number of people enjoy bullfights, which to them mean from a leisure activity to a high form of art. This tradition, which has spread worldwide and gained diehard followers ever since it emerged in the eighteenth century, does not only bring enjoyment but also the suffering - and death - of animals and sometimes, unfortunately, people. Since bullfights have just been banned in Catalonia, we need to ask the question: is bullfighting necessary in the 21st century?
On the one hand, the festival often goes beyond entertainment because its supporters conceive it as a true art form, even as kind of a man-against-nature fight. Therefore, it is considered a way for the bullfighter to demonstrate his strength and courage in a breathtaking exhibition. Moreover, it means a steady flow of money, and, what is more, a cultural tradition in Spain. In this sense, the bull might be considered as one of the most representative emblems of our country.
On the other hand, as I said above, bullfighting involves the suffering and death of innocent animals. Many tend to say that it is a fair fight between the man and the bull, but is it? Before the corrida, not only is the animal locked in complete darkness for 48 hours, but also badly fed and sometimes even pinched and hurt so, when “released”, the bull is disoriented because of its induced blindness. Furthermore, every time the bull is stabbed it becomes weaker and weaker until the agonizing animal succumbs to a painful death.
While bullfight may seem simply another human “ritual” where animals are killed, like hunting or slaughter, there is one thing that worsens it: the eager public is glaring at the whole process while encouraging the bullfighter to spread more blood. Can anything - including tradition - justify this slaughter-like ritual anyhow? If tradition is the only reason to allow this “entertainment” to continue, people should think about past traditions such as the wrestling between gladiators.
To conclude, I believe bullfighting has become a harmful, unnecessarily cruel spectacle, given that there are many enjoyable, more civilized pastimes like live sport, theatre or cinema, which do not involve killing any animals. There don’t seem to be any good reasons not to follow the example of Catalonia, except for the clichéd argument that it is a long-standing, yet to my mind old-fashioned, tradition.
On the one hand, the festival often goes beyond entertainment because its supporters conceive it as a true art form, even as kind of a man-against-nature fight. Therefore, it is considered a way for the bullfighter to demonstrate his strength and courage in a breathtaking exhibition. Moreover, it means a steady flow of money, and, what is more, a cultural tradition in Spain. In this sense, the bull might be considered as one of the most representative emblems of our country.
On the other hand, as I said above, bullfighting involves the suffering and death of innocent animals. Many tend to say that it is a fair fight between the man and the bull, but is it? Before the corrida, not only is the animal locked in complete darkness for 48 hours, but also badly fed and sometimes even pinched and hurt so, when “released”, the bull is disoriented because of its induced blindness. Furthermore, every time the bull is stabbed it becomes weaker and weaker until the agonizing animal succumbs to a painful death.
While bullfight may seem simply another human “ritual” where animals are killed, like hunting or slaughter, there is one thing that worsens it: the eager public is glaring at the whole process while encouraging the bullfighter to spread more blood. Can anything - including tradition - justify this slaughter-like ritual anyhow? If tradition is the only reason to allow this “entertainment” to continue, people should think about past traditions such as the wrestling between gladiators.
To conclude, I believe bullfighting has become a harmful, unnecessarily cruel spectacle, given that there are many enjoyable, more civilized pastimes like live sport, theatre or cinema, which do not involve killing any animals. There don’t seem to be any good reasons not to follow the example of Catalonia, except for the clichéd argument that it is a long-standing, yet to my mind old-fashioned, tradition.
Thanks so much, Miguel. Great job! Now, to illustrate this heated debate for and against bullfights, I've found this YouTube report on the issue. Would you like to post your own comments?
Bring back 'stoning' Oh wait a minute that would be considered inhumane. We have supposedly evolved, how can the human race possibly move forward when this kind of practice is allowed to continue. We must look to ourselves and question why this is still happening in a so called civilised world.
ReplyDeleteWe should be ashamed, have we no values. We have little regard for the human race, what chance the animal race. I am embarrassed to call myself human.