# data[].attributes.body
It seems as though the answer lies in the people of Spain and the ways in which they would like their traditions to continue. As an outsider, I see similarities throughout many cultures, ours included, that utilize violence for entertainment/food industry/cosmetics. Although not in an arena - I am not sure the differences are that vast. While I mostly believe that just because something is steeped in tradition does not mean it needs to continue in the same way it always has, in fact, mostly I would disagree with this, but in this case I think that the response to bull fighting is difficult and particularly as outsiders.

http://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news/17764045.pamplona-bull-runners-stage-protest-lack-thrills/

This article is interesting because the viewpoint is almost not interested in the conversation surrounding the protests we know, it is from the view of someone who has been going to these fights for years. I think hearing about the ways in which the runs have changed for locals is also an interesting aspect when viewing how classically historical it remains to be in this day even without animal rights protesters.

# data[].attributes.body
From what I knew of Spain, the main thing I could associate with them was their tradition of bullfighting. Though I admire matador fashion (as it reminds me of mariachi dress wear), the entire concept of this public recreational event centered around a man fighting a bull was foreign to me. Here in the States, we hear about dog fighting or in the Latin countries it's more on the side of cockfighting, but it's not something that is a huge component of our cultural identity. It is also because of the work of animal rights groups that there are now laws that protect these animals but obviously it's not a universal law but rather one that starts in the country itself. That's why it was nice to see in the readings how there is more conversation going around and a growing opposition to this once unquestioned tradition, as it opens up the possibility to put up restrictions and educating the population on why bullfighting is not a gentleman's sport but rather a man's form of animal torture( which is the vibe I got from this article as the matador seems to mock the poor bull even after he is victorious).

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/16/activists-cry-torture-after-matador-wipes-nose-dying-bull/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.bc0fca3678e5

# data[].attributes.body
After reading the articles about the anti-bullfighting movement in Spain I support them more than ever. Bullfighting is perhaps the most well-known spectator “sport” involving the killing of animals for entertainment. For British tourists in the 1970s and 1980s, going to a bullfight was almost seen as a ‘must do’ part of a holiday in Spain. But gradually the awareness of what actually happens at a bullfight has increased, ripping away the idea that bullfighting is ‘art’ and exposing it for the cruel sport that it really is.

The animals involved in bullfighting suffer immensely, and all in the name of human entertainment, with a false claim that this public torture or execution has become ‘art’ and ‘cultural heritage’ that needs preserving. The Anti-bullfighting movements campaign for a complete ban on this cruel and outdated sport, in each country and in any of its forms, including the so-called “bloodless bullfights”.

I found an interesting article posted by PETA in the last few days, discussing how bullfighting works and what is currently being done to prevent it from happening.

https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/cruel-sports/bullfighting/

# data[].attributes.body
After reading the articles I decided to do some serious introspection about the subject, as I lean more towards supporting the tradition, but all the articles had provided good arguments against the tradition. As it causes the animal intense pain and is cruel... There are other supporters of bullfighting that believe bullfighting is integral to hundreds of years of Spanish culture, that is something that simple cannot just go away in a day. For a culture to survive traditions need to stay somewhat intact. I believe bullfighting should still occur, but to be highly regulated. To seldom happen. I mean, we mercilessly slaughter cows and pigs for meats to consume every day. What’s the difference of bullfighting happening occasionally?

Something locally that is sort of comparable to the debate is the Makah tribe in Neah Bay, WA. Whale hunting is something sacred and indigenous to the Makah tribe. Though, the hunt is spiritual ceremony. And was given to the indigenous people of Washington in a treaty.

https://makah.com/makah-tribal-info/whaling/

A potential alternative to Spain’s bullfighting is South Korea’s version of bullfighting. Literally just two bulls fighting, but no one dies. Two bulls will be fighting until one bull will eventually just turn away.

https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/04/30/402575947/bullfighting-for-buddhists-a-less-bloody-alternative-in-south-korea

# data[].attributes.body
OK, the four articles definitely gave me more information about why those so many animal rights activists protest for the sake of bulls. Before I briefly knew about anti-bullfighting movement, and so I didn't quite understand why so many Spaniards oppose their thousands of years of tradition. I thought bullfighting only meant bulls running through the red rag, so I didn't see any issues on it. However, now I do know that the bullfighting also refers to bulls running through streets and amateurs try to bleed or kill them with spears or lances. and bullfighting supporters call it a sport. This new information totally flips a coin. such the blood sport should be banned for the sake of bulls, as the animal rights activists insist. If killing bulls was the matter of survival or approved hunting by the government, it would have been better understanding for people. But killing them for fun and calling it "tradition" is selfish. Here's another link to bullfighting.

https://www.league.org.uk/bullfighting-and-bull-running

# data[].attributes.body
The culture of bull fighting is an ancient tradition in Spain. It has strong social significance that brings communities together to celebrate.  It is a long standing tradition that has evolved into a national and global attraction. This is a renowned festival that attracts people from outside of Spain. Recently, there have been two camps raising their voices in regard to bull fighting.  There are those who support it as a long standing tradition and pastime; and animal rights activists who see it as animal cruelty. Those who oppose bullfighting have even formed an organization called PACMA and the Bull Foundation in order to lobby to ban the practice. Valencia, Spain’s third largest city has banned it already.  Aficionados contend that bullfighting is an integral part of Spanish culture.

It takes a long time to reform long standing traditions, and both camps have valid reasons for their respective points of view. In a situation like this where feelings for and against tradition run high, it is impossible to please everybody.   Instead of asking the government to ban the festival a referendum should be held to determine the tradition’s fate. One also has to consider the economic contributions of the festival.   If it is banned, how will that affect or harm the economy of the bullfighting communities?
The following article provides background information on the tradition of bullfighting; how it came about and the how the festival is conducted. It is a tradition that goes back to 711 A.D. Traditions don’t change overnight. It will take a long time to reform a practice that has been cemented in daily society for centuries. The organizations that have been formed to bring awareness about the practice have made some gains.

The following article provides a description and brief history of bullfighting, and the formalities of the practice.

Jaafar Jama

# data[].attributes.body
I find that the stereotype that all Spanish people like bullfighting was very unrealistic when answering what stereotypes we had heard. These articles actually don't surprise me as much as it makes sense that not all Spanish citizens agree with the tradition. Here in America there are so many traditions that others would disagree with and there is never a whole nation consensus on anything. I also understand those who want to keep this tradition as its something they consider their culture and may have experiences they hold dear. In my opinion this tradition is not at all appealing but i am not Spanish and cannot really relate. I also believe that they should remove the practice but maybe replace the tradition of killing with celebrating the bull. That there should be celebrations that will maintain the cultural aspect but would end the bullfighting tradition. Again I am not from Spain and I could never really understand how much this tradition could affect someone who grew up watching the bullfights, but times change and this doesn't mean an end to tradition.

I decided I would look at how the bull is raised and what happens to it after the fight. Ultimately the bull is killed and most of its meat is sold and the tail, horns, and ears are used for trophies. The meat is said to be only good for stew as the bull dies from the condition of an intense fight and the stress and adrenaline makes the meat taste wild according to a butcher. Although bulls for fighting actually live longer than cattle raised for consumption. They also live roaming wild in pastures eating their preferred foods.

https://www.livescience.com/56488-what-happens-to-bulls-after-bullfight.html

# data[].attributes.body
Although I feel no need to attack Spain for a tradition that I feel is ultimately up to them to decide on, it is also not something that I am personally in favor of. I understand its roots, the “adrenaline rush” that it gives, and the meaning that it has to many Spaniards, but I also believe that Spain has a lot of other cultural traditions that could be celebrated instead. I know that some people have spoken about Spaniards needing a new “identity” or consensus about who they are after the recent governmental changes within the country, so this could be as good a time as any to figure out where they stand on bullfighting (as some areas already have). As Hollander’s experience shows, it is a very dangerous sport not only for the bulls involved, but the matadors, too. I wonder if there is a way that Spaniards could keep the “choreographed opera of movement, music, costume, and pageantry” (as Hollander described) that is involved in the sport, but get rid of the parts that cause harm to the animal. If possible, maybe this could be a common ground between people on both sides of the issue.

https://www.thelocal.es/20160315/valencia-spanish-city-mulls-portuguese-style-no-kill-bullfighting

To look into this alternative further, I found this article from The Local about how Valencia (the third-largest city in Spain) was considering switching to Portugese bullfighting, where the bull is not killed at the end of the fight. While some felt this would preserve the cultural traditions of the fiesta while still respecting the animal’s life, animal rights activists argued that this alternative just prolongs agony and torture of the bull, as they are still stabbed with the barbed darts and then usually still slaughtered after the fight anyways. One famous bullfighter said that the Portugese style of bullfighting is like “a play with the ending missing,” and that “killing the bull is an art, and the way we do it in Portugal deprives the bull of his dignity.” What do you guys think? Would an alternative version of bullfighting (perhaps one that does not require any harm to the animal whatsoever) satisfy both sides of the debate, or is the death of the bull a culturally crucial part of the sport?

# data[].attributes.body
As someone who has spent a chunk of time in Spain, and have had many friends study abroad, or vacation there, I feel familiar with the tradition of bullfighting and bull runs. I feel torn on this issue, and understand the call for action. I also think it is interesting the way people pick and choose which issues to stand up against. I completely agree with how NPR mentioned banning the act of stabbing the bulls. I think there are various environments around the world that we are normalized to where animals are not treated well, or used at the expense of entertainment, culture, or food. I understand how bulls have a deep history in Spain, and how changing the guidelines around bullfighting and bull runs would make some feel like the history and culture of their home is being stripped.  I don't feel like there is a straight forward response I can come up with on how to deal with this tradition.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/12/europe/bullfighting-spain-politics-scli-intl/index.html
This is an interesting article about how bullfighting has become so polarized. Traditionally, it was something that all social classes would enjoy. The country is experiencing intense discourse and strong pulls to each side of the discussion.

# data[].attributes.headline
Response to the articles.In regards to this subject I’ve learned many people are emotionally involved whether pro or against it and it creates a very binary issue. The NPR article mentioned that people are divided in regards to bullfighting. Some claim it’s a really important part of Spanish culture and it goes beyond the “killing”, others consider the event barbaric and unacceptable. One interesting fact is the division in various parts of the country as some regions have banned it completely (Catalonia), others are only banning the killing of the bull or just simply continuing with the events. One thing for certain is : there has been lots of changes. Continuing along with the NPR article, it mentions “at least 17 Spanish cities have cut out finding “for such event. The Guardian article also emphasizes a generational change in Spaniards families who once were “aficionados” of bullfighting and now are protesting against it. Currently many people find bullfighting shameful and are doing their best to convince other Spaniards and the rest of the world that this is not how they want to be represented. However there are many fans of bullfighting who consider it as more than a sport , an art and a cultural tradition such is the case of photographer Hollander .What I found more interesting in this NY Times publication were the comments of many people who were against it. Even one reader said he was from Pamplona, he used to love the tradition but considers the fact the bull always dies unnecessary and painfully and refuses it to see it as “art”. I think more than a mere opinion I would like to acknowledge the different sides of the coin , I think I cannot put my opinion about something I just recently learned .Now the article I found focuses on the increase of protection for woman. The article mentions that besides the bullfighting issue , woman have been targeted for sexual assault cases as the San Fernandin Festival is full or people and a lot of tourists. The reading also talks about laws regarding bar openings, and how this festival draws tremendous amounts of money. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Response to the articles.In regards to this subject I’ve learned many people are emotionally involved whether pro or against it and it creates a very binary issue. The NPR article mentioned that people are divided in regards to bullfighting. Some claim it’s a really important part of Spanish culture and it goes beyond the “killing”, others consider the event barbaric and unacceptable. One interesting fact is the division in various parts of the country as some regions have banned it completely (Catalonia), others are only banning the killing of the bull or just simply continuing with the events. One thing for certain is : there has been lots of changes. Continuing along with the NPR article, it mentions “at least 17 Spanish cities have cut out finding “for such event. The Guardian article also emphasizes a generational change in Spaniards families who once were “aficionados” of bullfighting and now are protesting against it. Currently many people find bullfighting shameful and are doing their best to convince other Spaniards and the rest of the world that this is not how they want to be represented. However there are many fans of bullfighting who consider it as more than a sport , an art and a cultural tradition such is the case of photographer Hollander .What I found more interesting in this NY Times publication were the comments of many people who were against it. Even one reader said he was from Pamplona, he used to love the tradition but considers the fact the bull always dies unnecessary and painfully and refuses it to see it as “art”. I think more than a mere opinion I would like to acknowledge the different sides of the coin , I think I cannot put my opinion about something I just recently learned .Now the article I found focuses on the increase of protection for woman. The article mentions that besides the bullfighting issue , woman have been targeted for sexual assault cases as the San Fernandin Festival is full or people and a lot of tourists. The reading also talks about laws regarding bar openings, and how this festival draws tremendous amounts of money. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Three man were gored and another three injured during the first run of the week-long San Fermín running of the bulls festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on Saturday. The injuries were not life-threatening.

During the festival the population of the small city in Navarra swells tenfold as more than a million people come from around the world. Only about 20,000 over the course of the week dress up in the traditional red and white to pursue and be pursued by the bulls along Pamplona's cobbled streets.

With a million visitors spending on average €100 (£90) each per day, the event is a money-spinner for the town, especially for the bars which, under new rules, are allowed to stay open 18 hours a day. Homeowners with balconies along the route rent them out for €50-€200 to visitors to enjoy the approximately 15 seconds it takes for the bulls to pass.

In recent years, however, the event's reputation has been marred by a steady increase in complaints from women that they have suffered sexual harassment and abuse.

This culminated in the case of five men styling themselves La Manada, "the wolf pack", who raped an 18-year-old woman during the festival in 2016. The five were jailed for 15 years last month after a protracted legal process often criticised for its perceived leniency towards the rapists.

Last year 25 incidents were reported, down from 40 in 2017 and 43 in 2016. That year, in addition to the victim of the wolf-pack case, 18 other women reported sexually motivated attacks involving violence during the festival.

Up until 2016, only a third of cases were resolved as it was difficult to identify the perpetrators in such a large crowd. Since then the centre of Pamplona has been covered by 21 security cameras.
After the horror of the 'wolf pack' case, Spanish women have reason to be hopeful | Eloise Barry
This year the organisers say that, in addition to the thousands of police on duty, agents from the family and women unit will be on duty to deal with, and hopefully prevent, abuses.

There is also a San Fermín app that, as well as offering information about events around the city, gives advice on how to deal with and report sexual offences.

An information point was set up on Friday specifically to inform people about the issue and also to deal with complaints from women. It has a staff of six trained in dealing with sexual offences who between them speak Spanish, English, French and Basque.

The local and national police, some on horseback, have been joined by uniformed officers from France and Italy, agents from the US embassy and riot police from Bilbao.

The city council reaffirmed its "commitment to continue working for a festival in which men and women can freely and safely enjoy themselves".

It said reports of sexual aggression would be dealt with in a "coordinated and consistent manner" and thanked feminist groups for their active involvement in helping to eradicate sexual attacks.

Before Sunday's opening encierro, as the bull runs are known, the streets along the route were treated with 1,500 litres of anti-slip liquid which helps to prevent the animals from losing their footing and also allows them run faster.

The event is a target for animal rights activists and on Friday members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) staged a protest in which they lay semi-naked on cut-out bull shapes resembling the chalk outline of bodies found at crime scenes.

Jordi Casamitjana, Peta's campaigns manager, said most people did not realise the bulls were killed in the ring after the run, adding that the bull run itself was barbaric and that the animals were terrified. Peta claims that 125 Spanish cities have banned bullfighting.

"Most of the protesters are Spanish," Casamitjana said. "The reality is that the majority of Spaniards are against bullfighting. A lot of people don't come to Pamplona in July because of San Fermín and a lot more tourists would come here if they banned it."

Last month the mayor of Pamplona caused controversy when he suggested that the bullfight was not an essential component of the event. Joseba Asiron said that "San Fermín wouldn't make sense without bulls but it was possible to imagine it without bullfighting".

He said that fans had to recognise that there was an ongoing debate about bullfighting in Spanish society, adding that he thought that it was good thing that people were discussing it.

"We are talking about a controversial cultural activity," Asiron said. "We have to be open and aware of what people are saying."

Fighting-bull breeders were quick to respond, saying it was unthinkable to stage the encierros if they didn't end with a fight to the death in the bullring.
Topics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pamplona bull-run festival steps up protection for women

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Three man were gored and another three injured during the first run of the week-long San Fermín running of the bulls festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on Saturday. The injuries were not life-threatening. During the festival the population of the small city in Navarra swells tenfold as more than a million people come from around the world.

# data[].attributes.body
I found these articles somewhat conflicting. In general, I am against animal cruelty, so I would not mind seeing bullfighting and the running of the bulls banned or at least toned down to an extent. Bullfighting in particular, as it seems to involve more of killing or harming the bulls. In particular, one story from the NPR article mentioned a festival in Madrid “where a baby bull was stabbed and killed in the bull ring by amateurs" (Kennedy, NPR). Much of bullfighting exists today because of tradition, and it will likely remain an element of the culture for a long time. To be honest, I wouldn’t have much of an issue with the practice if it didn’t involve the direct harm of the animals. I suppose one counter argument for this could be the idea that the bullfighter is putting themselves in harms way as well, though these practices likely kill more bulls on average than they do people. Bull running, on the other hand, seems like it has been toned down somewhat. The NPR article seemed to mention that the practice of spearing bulls as they run has been toned down significantly, and most of the other articles do not seem to mention this aspect of the running of the bulls. Additionally, it seems like the running of the bulls injures dozens of participants every year, and the event still gets new participants all the time. Below I included an article with some statistics on the injuries at these events.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/your-chances-of-being-gored-by-a-bull-in-pamplona-are-getting-higher/

# data[].attributes.body
I found the articles on the bulls of Spain really interesting, and truly a great representation of our modern world, where we have discord between outdated parts of culture and progressive ideas of equality, specifically when it comes to animal rights. The Wakin article that gave a slideshow of the Bull runs in Pamplona were truly fascinating and I can understand from the images why so many individuals see Bull fighting as cultural, the images displayed so much emotion and energy related to the Spanish tradition. Wakin says, “The bullfights, he said, are another world, a carefully choreographed opera of movement, music, costume and pageantry (Wakin, NY Times).” But, then you have the opposition, the side of 58% (Kennedy, NPR) of Spanish folk who oppose Bullfighting, and believe it is an outdated spectacle and representation of Spanish culture. One rallier mention in the NPR article says, bull fighting is "torture — not art or culture!(Kennedy, NPR)" In 2016, The Guardian article stated that “1736 bullfights had been staged in the country last year, 132 less than in 2014(The Guardian).” What I see is that eventually, Spanish culture will begin to limit and lessen the prevalence of the Bull runs and fights, but I have a hard time imagining it totally disappearing, especially if it’s been a part of Spanish happenings, for so very long.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpthWZjmcCM

This is a very interesting video with images of the bull runs in Pamplona as well as esteemed bullfighting in Spain, where a famous Spanish Matador was fatally gorged to death.

# data[].attributes.body
After I read the articles, I found myself a little conflicted. For one, I’m not a fan of animal cruelty and having to run from bulls and then spearing them just seems cruel to me. However, the Showcase: Running of the Bulls article brought up the arguments that the bulls seem to enjoy it and have a good life up to that moment. However, his last arguments seem to fall short. Why would a bull care if his name goes into the history books? It doesn’t seem to me that the bull,
“…leads a romantic, majestic life.” In my opinion, this sport needs to be heavily investigated and, if necessary, banned. I know it’s a national sport and millions flock to it, but the reason that it’s a tradition isn’t good enough anymore. There isn’t just danger to the bulls but to humans too. The risk to humans it too great.

https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-running-of-the-bulls-unfurled-2019-htmlstory.html

I found this article on the latest bull run and I think it proves my point. A man almost died by being gored in the neck. I was also surprised to learn it's protected under the Spanish Constitution. It really shouldn't be.

# data[].attributes.body
After reading the articles I was pretty shocked that a tradition such as the running of the bulls and the slaughtering of a bull calf existed today. I understand that communities have their traditions, but it just seems like in today’s day and age this bloody tradition would be nonexistent. I was glad to read in the one article by the Associated Press that 17 Spanish cities have cut the municipal funding for bullfighting and bull runs. It was interesting to read about the new-leftist party, Podemos and their involvement in local and regional elections. I agree with the report in NPR that the bull runs should not be banned in their entirety, but the killing of the bulls should be stopped. Being that I am just learning of this issue, I would love to know peoples thoughts about whether or not a practice like this should be banned or  altered in way that is safe for both the bulls and festival participants.

Podemos
https://www.thenation.com/article/spain-podemos-split/

It was very interesting to learn about the political party, Podemos. They were founded in 2014 and were a leftist group that addressed problems such as inequality, unemployment and issues stemming from the European debt crisis. This party grew in popularity due to the economic crisis in Europe and the unemployment rate of young Spanish persons.