This morning, my last in Seville, I found myself anxiously pacing back and forth outside the bullfighting ring like..well...like a bull sizing up the enemy. On the one hand, I am in Spain trying to soak up and understand Spanish culture & history. On the other, I'm a year old vegetarian who studies yoga and has trouble killing a bug. Still, how can I criticize something without understanding it and what better way to understand it than by touring the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain? But what is there to understand? Bull enters ring. Bull more than likely dies a slow painful death. The crowd cheers. Do I really want to give my money to support that kind of "entertainment"? Defiantly, I walk away. I realize my statement is small and the €6 I've kept in my pocket will not crumble the National Bullfighting Association of Spain..or whatever it is they call themselves.
Tradition, History. It's a part of the Spanish identity and cultural heritage; just as important as its language, music or art.
The fact that Bullfighting still exits in 2012 in modern western society is quite curious to me. Italy hasn't carried the tradition of gladiator fighting into the 21st century and as far as I know, jousts or duels to the death are no longer part of western culture. And no, the show at Medieval Times does not count!
Bullfighting is so blatantly violent and bloody though. I just don't understand how the Spanish people (more more specifically, the Andalucians) can accept and celebrate it under the guise of sport, tradition or art.
On the other hand, I don't think most of us have to go looking too far to find something we participate in or
readily accept that flies right in the face of our core beliefs. I know
I don't.
I just need to look down at my wrist.
June. Toronto. The distillery district. My friend had taken me to a really cool spot that had lots of working artists selling their wares. I found a bracelet and immediately fell in love with it. It was a cuff shaped of leaves and flowers. It highlighted the dove tattoo on my wrist so much so that it looked like the dove was perched on one of the leaves. I decided it was made for me. I got home & showed off my purchase to my friend's husband.
"Is that made of leather? Hey! Aren't you vegan?"
No! I am not vegan.
Technically true but the point was clear. And it stung.
At what point to you go from being an ignorant bystander to active participant?
I decided to stop eating animals after studying "ahimsa" or non-harming during a yoga retreat; yet, if I really stop & examine my daily life, there are many ways in which I do harm every day whether it be in the products I use or the companies I choose to support or even the thoughts I have.
I'm not saying we should take up every cause; grab a bullhorn and go preaching through the streets or conversely to throw our hands up in defeat because we are overwhelmed by it all. Becoming a vegetarian was a huge step in aligning my core beliefs to my daily lifestyle but I realize it is just a step and not the end goal. It won't happen overnight but I want to remain vigilant and keep my eyes open to the silent complicity in my choices and see if there isn't a way to turn it into a roar of quiet protest; like keeping that €6 in my pocket.
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