Running
of the bulls should no longer be practiced
By Nicole Aromando
Summer Forty-Niner
Every year thousands of visitors from around
the world come to Pamplona, Spain for the
running of the bulls. The running of the
bulls is part of the Fiesta of San Fermin.
The actual running takes place every morning
at 8 a.m. from July 7 -14. Lasting only
minutes, this event is one of Spain’s
most famous traditions. A tradition that
some feel should no longer be practiced.
Animal rights activists around the world
argue that the event is more than just a
harmless tradition.
We all know that tradition has often been
used to justify continuing abuse. As educated
students, we should all realize that simply
identifying something as a tradition does
not make it right. In the past acts such
as slavery, segregation and female subordination
were considered to be tradition. I don’t
think that any of us would justify the existence
of such things simply because of tradition.
Having never actually been to Pamplona for
the running of the bulls I cannot speak
of first hand accounts, I can refer to countless
articles and photographs on the event. I
have never witnessed the testing of a chemical
on an animal first hand. Yet, I doubt the
pain and horror the animal goes through
simply because I did not personally see
it. Such is the case with the running of
the bulls.
It seems clearly obvious that the bulls
don’t enjoy the event. Actually, I
don’t think that all of the spectators
enjoy the event as much either. Probably
for the same reason the bulls aren’t
thrilled about participating. The reason
is pain.
The bulls often slip and break limbs or
horns while they run trying desperately
to escape from the surrounding chaos. Humans
that participate in the event often experience
some of the same pain. It should be quite
obvious that the risk of injury is high
when considering the circumstances. A risk
that more than just a few are willing to
take in order to experience the so-called
thrill associated with the running of the
bulls.
I understand that there is more involved
than what I have discussed. I am also familiar
with a little thing called an adrenaline
rush. If you ask me, the running of the
bulls seems quite barbaric. Anyone that
has ever seen footage of the event knows
the scene in Pamplona is quite humorous.
A scene of massive chaos and one that seems
to present a not so civilized society. Really,
have we nothing better to do with our time?
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