Many people in the world are very protective of traditions because they're part of their cultural identities. Things that have been done for many years by our ancestors tend to be held on high esteem and the continuity of tradition makes people feel attached to their past. I'm not questioning the value of culture, but for me, some traditions should no longer have a place in today's world.
For example, in Portugal and Spain they have the "tourada", a fight between a bull and men on horseback and on foot. This is done in a round shaped arena, with public viewing and cheering. The men have "picadores", sharp poles they use to pierce the muscle on the back of the bull's neck in order to straighten the bull's charge and fatigue the bull as it tries to lift the horse with its head. A picador is like a fishing hook that can't be removed so once the bull has been pierced the animal keeps bleeding. There are several parts of the show but the end is always the same : the "matador" plunges his or her sword between the bull's shoulders, puncturing the animal's heart and killing it. Next, a team of mules or horses drags the dead animal out of the ring.
How is the public watching of an animal being tortured considered entertainment is beyond me. I don't understand why anyone would want to buy a ticked to go watch such a thing, but many people do, because it's tradition.
Once I was talking to a Spanish friend about this and she told me something that really made me think. She too finds the "tourada" barbaric, but she gave up saying that because it made people mad at her. She told me that once people make up their mind it's very hard to make them change. "What is the solution then?" I asked. She answered "Teach the children to love animals. Show them that the animals feel pain and that hurting them is not fun. Once the children grow up they will refuse to see that kind of show and eventually it will disappear due to lack of public interest". I think she made a very good point, and one that can be applied to any number of things. Until then, I feel sorry for every animal out there that suffers in the name of "entertainment".
For example, in Portugal and Spain they have the "tourada", a fight between a bull and men on horseback and on foot. This is done in a round shaped arena, with public viewing and cheering. The men have "picadores", sharp poles they use to pierce the muscle on the back of the bull's neck in order to straighten the bull's charge and fatigue the bull as it tries to lift the horse with its head. A picador is like a fishing hook that can't be removed so once the bull has been pierced the animal keeps bleeding. There are several parts of the show but the end is always the same : the "matador" plunges his or her sword between the bull's shoulders, puncturing the animal's heart and killing it. Next, a team of mules or horses drags the dead animal out of the ring.
How is the public watching of an animal being tortured considered entertainment is beyond me. I don't understand why anyone would want to buy a ticked to go watch such a thing, but many people do, because it's tradition.
Once I was talking to a Spanish friend about this and she told me something that really made me think. She too finds the "tourada" barbaric, but she gave up saying that because it made people mad at her. She told me that once people make up their mind it's very hard to make them change. "What is the solution then?" I asked. She answered "Teach the children to love animals. Show them that the animals feel pain and that hurting them is not fun. Once the children grow up they will refuse to see that kind of show and eventually it will disappear due to lack of public interest". I think she made a very good point, and one that can be applied to any number of things. Until then, I feel sorry for every animal out there that suffers in the name of "entertainment".
