Unpopular Opinion: Bullfighting Should Not Be Banned
Hear me out
My recent visit to Seville was my fifth time in Spain but it felt like my first real taste of Spanish culture. I got word about an upcoming bullfighting match and decided to check it out. I’ll have to admit, it was definitely one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
Arrived early to the scarcely packed Plaza de Toro arena. This was an off-season match so it wasn’t a full house. Shortly after the floodlights came on, out came a group of sharply dressed men, dawning in colourful traje de luces. Spotting the matador was easy. His suit was more flamboyant, almost completely lined in gold. With a wine-red muleta, different from the pink and yellow capes the other men held. They all waved to the eager crowd, ending with a bow to the judges and took their positions.
The match had barely begun but it was clear that the bull had already lost. An inexperienced bullfighter going up against a young bull sounds fair on paper but lopsided in reality.
The matador waited patiently as the subalternos (the other guys) teased the energetic bull to exhaustion. It wasn’t long before the running bull turned into a walking bull.
The young matador appeared again to put on his show. He moved gracefully, always dodging the dangerously close horns with simple swerves and side steps. He slowly conditioned his naive opponent to charge at him with its head down and hump exposed.
After receiving several non-lethal blows to the back, the young bull refused to give up. It could barely stand on all fours but still wanted its pound of flesh. The matador, now holding a long silver blade behind his back, was ready to deliver his final strike. He acted vulnerable to encourage one last charge from the bull. It was a quick and bloody ending. A clean-up crew carted off the body with horses as the matador took his victory lap, soaking up the cheers from the ecstatic crowd.
His face was beaming with joy as the crowd waved their white handkerchiefs. This was his moment. He had dreamed about it, trained for it, spent every moment thinking about it and he rose to the occasion.
That’s when it dawned on me. Bullfighting isn’t just some random sport with meaningless killing as widely believed. For some people, it is tradition and history. A real opportunity to live beyond their years.
My takeaway
Everyone (except kids of course) should see at least one match live. Every sport feels ten times more intense when you’re seated a few feet away from the action.
As a piece of Spanish history, bullfighting should never be stopped. Reduced, maybe.
The fight was largely unfair, but there seemed to be a great deal of respect for the bull from the fighters.
Now personally, I’m not a fan of violent sports. I’ve never even made it through a full rugby game. So that was a one-and-done experience for me.
What are your thoughts on bullfighting? Would you watch a matador battle a bull if you ever find yourself in Spain?
