BullFights will cease existing.
Just like everything else that doesn't
fit in a civilized society.
Just like the slavery was abolished, just
like women were
granted the right to vote.
Nevertheless, never this changes occurred without a fight,
without some
people's determinination, people who believed
they had a better view of
the future and the strength to change it.
Changing the mind of someone
who supports Bullfights is close to impossible. Usually this sensibility is
acquired by your education, as the reason will hardly have any influence.
In despite of this, here are the answers to some
of the common arguments used by those who make an effort to justify
something that is unjustifiable. Think about it.
1 - Bullfights are an ancient tradition, therefore they should be supported
and perpetuated.
Bullfights are a tradition indeed (imported from Spain). This is not a valid
argument for their existence. By definition, traditions are time-honored
practices.
Traditions come from ancient times when the whole society, the mentality and the
customs were too different from nowadays'.
Over time, humankind tend to develop and improve the way of living and thinking.
This is what we call evolution. This is the reason why we no longer have bath
with buckets of water heated using a campfire, this is the reason why slavery,
which pleased so many people, was abolished, and this is also why we no longer
believe that dancing in a funny way or sacrificing an animal is enough to make
it rain.
In despite of being lovely, traditions only make sense when compatible with the
way of thinking and the ruling concepts. As nowadays the respect for animal
suffering is starting to make part of people's minds, Bullfights should be
questioned and rethought. For example, An innovative idea would be placing the
Bullfighter in the bullring, naked, in front of the Bull (this would show more
manhood than those outfits they use do). Each of the two beings in the bullring
could do whatever they'd like - this would be a real show for sure!
2 - If it weren't for the Bullfights and their supporters, the Bull's race
would have been extinguished by now.
This is obviously false. Pandas and other species whose existence are or have
been endangered aren't used in Bullfights and they still exist. Fortunately
there are specific locations - reserves, natural parks... - which aim is
preserving certain species, in case the natural habitat no longer allows it.
Anyway, we're sure that the aficionados who claim they love the Bulls with all
their hearts would make an effort to guarantee their existence, even though they
wouldn't be of any use. Just like those who like Pandas do.
Apart from all of this, the important point is making it clear that maintaining
a species just to use it in a show which relies on its suffering is neither an
appraisable nor a noble act. There isn't any kind of advantage. If it's torture
versus extinction, we go with extinction.
3 - If you don't like it, turn your back and don't watch it.
Fortunately things aren't like this in our society. If you were to close your
eyes to all the unfairness around you, the world would be a much different place
by now.
It's evident that turning our backs on situations we don't agree with is not a
valid option. That happens too frequently already.
This kind of argument is so ridiculous that's almost unfair fighting against it,
but here we go:
Those against the Bullfights don't fight them for pleasure nor for self profit.
This kind of effort should be respected for those who watch a barbaric show
without mercy and without a second thought regarding what's going on in the
bullring.
4 - Those against Bullfights should worry about other things as well, namely
abandoning dogs.
The human being has the capability to worry about different matters at the same
time. We're a gifted species. Being against Bullfights doesn't prevent from
being against or worrying about other animals. Just because there's a war in
Iraq you will not forget about criminality, poverty or infliction.
There will always be matters that are more important than others and we have the
right to worry about all of them.
Certainly those against Bullfights are also against abandoning dogs, animal
fights, and many other matters.
5 - Those who say they are against Bullfights are hypocrites as they often
mistreat dogs and other animals.
This is an unfunded claim - not even supported by logic nor common sense -
unless it's based on one's personal experience.
There are and there will always be people using hypocrite arguments, therefore
this can't be generalized, and we can't assume everyone is alike.
Unlike this statement, what's reasonable is supposing that those against
Bullfights do care about animals' feelings in a profound and general manner -
this is what happens often.
6 - The Bull doesn't suffer with what people do to him during the Bullfight.
Indeed it's hard to tell what the Bull feels exactly during the Bullfight.
Nevertheless, scientific experiments and studies that have been done till now
indicate that physical abuse held before and during the Bullfight are not only
painful but incapacitating. The Bull's nerves and muscles are thorn and the
amount of blood lost weakens it. It doesn't seem sensible thinking that this may
be pleasant or even indifferent to the Bull.
The Bull, just like all other mammals, due to its nervous system, has the
ability to feel pain, anxiety, fear and suffering. The emotions are pretty
evident when the Bull is placed in the bullring.
Saying that the Bulls don't suffer or that it's just a little suffering isn't
reasonable at all.
7 - The Bulls are born to enter the bullring. They are aggressive by nature.
One thing is the creature's survival and self defense instinct, another is its
temperament and personality. Even though the Bull's cerebral cortex is more
basic than the human's (which makes its personality less complex), each animal
has its own temperament derived, like men, from genetic factors associated with
past experiences.
One thing all members of the same species have in common is its own technique of
defense which they use when they feel they are in danger. This should not be
confused with what's called the "animal's nature".
A healthy bull, living in its own habitat doesn't attack everything that moves.
8 - If those who like, respect the opinion of those who don't, why don't
those who don't like, respect the other's opinion?
Everyone respects other people's opinion and the opinion of those in favor of
Bullfights should also be respected. The event itself shouldn't.
This is easily understandable if we think of Hitler who thought that all Jews
should be exterminated.
Even though everyone has the right to have a bizarre opinion about any matters,
acting accordingly can't be respected nor tolerated if it's not a legitimate
act. If Bullfights are shocking and go against someone's principles, such events
aren't acceptable.
9 - The art of fighting the Bull is so beautiful that loosing it would be a
shame.
The "art" of fighting the Bull can indeed be considered beautiful and it may
even be accomplished with a great artistic and a great technical merit. This is
not legitimate as it relies on the animal's psychological and physical
suffering. Such suffering can't be caused to an animal that has nothing to do
with the matter. This would be unfair, arrogant and coward.
The "art" may be beautiful but it's unfair and coward and no "art" can have
merit under these conditions. It's an art without honor.
I'm sure everyone agrees with this. The art of fighting till death taken by the
gladiators held much more honor in it and was more beautiful for the crowd. In
despite of this it has been extinguished. Is that a shame?
10 - The Bullfighters highlight the nobility of the Bull.
Only a very ignorant and distorted mind can really believe that the Bulls when
enter the bullring are fulfilling a divine mission. The justification that the
bull is noble for fighting for its life comes only from those who get wealth
from this perverse but profitable show.
Nobility is a made concept by Men. In nature every animal is alive and fights
for survival. There is no doubt that the Man in a fight, using its condition and
weapons is superior to any other animal. Trying to prove this in an unequal
fight is not noble it's stupid.
The arguments against the Bullfight
There is no moral justification to cause suffering to an animal just for the fun
of it.
The denial in taking the animal's suffering into account can only derive from
the following factors:
lack of culture;
lack of education;
lack of character.
It's plain simple and there isn't much more to say about it.
Attitude
Some ideas regarding what can be done to fight Bullfights:
1} There's a very simple action that can be taken which is boycotting companies
and entities that organize or support Bullfights.
2} Grafittis are a nice urban art form. And they draw attention from the people
in the street.
3} Talk about the matter.
Never leave an opinion in favor of Bullfights without an answer.
For as much as we respect an person that's in favor, it's always important to
show that are things that can't agree with.
Most of the times, there is a stereotype in those people who are in favor of
Bullfights, result of some specific locations' education. Changing someone's
opinion is really hard, but talking about certain matter stimulates the
conscience about one's positions.
Step by step mentalities will change and evolve.
4} You can have your own ideas.
Tell us about it, if you want.
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