Cultural events and traditions are meant to bring communities closer together, but sometimes those events become controversial and even dangerous as time passes by. Dog racing, bullfighting, and sorority initiations are all such traditions that have become outdated because they are controversial and dangerous. Just because something has always been done, does not mean it should continue, especially if it is harmful and shocking.
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#1 Greyhound Racing
Since first established in 1912, live hares were used to get the greyhounds to chase it around a track, and race to capture and kill it. Britain began using a mechanical hare on a track instead of a live one but the dogs still needed a reason to chase the bunny. Live-baiting is the practice of using piglets, rabbits, and possums for the dogs to chase while training. Once they catch the small animals, they kill them. By the time the greyhound is six years old he is considered too old to race, and is often euthanized.
#2 Fraternity & Sorority Initiations
Becoming a pledge at a sorority or fraternity when entering college is a great experience for freshmen students. But that's just the first step. Once a new pledge is accepted by the fraternity they are taught the secret rules of the group and sworn to secrecy. But the biggest secret of all is, HAZING. It's prohibited by law in most places but most colleges and universities do little to stop it because it's how things have always been done and the staff themselves have most likely been a part of such acts in their college days. The hazing acts, which are a form of initiation into the group, can range from simple pranks to humiliation, to criminal misconduct all for the 'privilege' of joining a group. Many recent cases of hazing in the past few years have resulted in physical harm to pledges and even death.
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#3 Running Of The Bulls
Originally, in Spain during the 14th century, the running of the bulls was a way to herd the bulls through the city by startling them. However, as the years went on, young men began to show off and run ahead of the animals to prove their bravery, which later turned into an event that brought many people out to witness. It soon became a traditional competition. Many of the bulls die from cardiac arrest while running due to the stress of the race. Before being let loose the bull is kept in small dark enclosures and then shocked with an electrical device to get them running. In addition to the mistreatment of the bulls, over 100 people are injured or killed every year by the bull run.
#4 Competitive Eating
Once considered part of a carnival freak show, competitive eating has become a worldwide event. The competitive 'eaters' train for months or years honing their techniques and putting their bodies through unusually brutal treatment. There is now evidence that these speed eaters can suffer serious health issues as a result. Several people have died during recent events by either choking or from water intoxication, which is a serious condition that dilutes electrolytes in the blood.
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#5 Auto Racing
The fastest growing "sport" in recent history, motorsports is both exhilarating and dangerous, not only for the racers but for the environment as well. Scientists say that within the next twenty years carbon emissions need to be cut drastically to help slow global warming. The emissions from race cars is not helping, since most cars emit 1500 grams of carbon dioxide per half mile. In addition to all of this, the dangers to the drivers, crew members, and innocent fans is nerve wracking. Over the last seven years about 185 people, including spectators, have been killed during race mishaps.
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#6 Rodeos
Modern day rodeos are based on old work practices used for herding cattle and have manifested into competitions in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Some of the typical events at a rodeo are steer wrestling, bareback bronc riding, roping, and more. Even though in recent years there has been a major effort to improve the rodeo for its abuse to animals, it is far from perfect. Some states and areas have outlawed the torturous devices such as electric prods, many are still being used to herd and frighten the animals into an erratic behavior. The animals suffer from broken bones, ripped tendons, and some even die from stress during the events.
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#7 Public Executions
Very controversial in the United States right now, public execution is a form of punishment that has already been outlawed in many parts of the world, but is still very widely used in others. In the US, inmates sentenced to the death penalty are strapped down to a cot in front of an audience and given a lethal injection. In very high profile cases, some of the executions are even broadcasted on CTV to a wider audience. In countries like Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Saudi Arabia,and North Korea, public execution is akin to a spectator sport. Hanging and firing squads are still widely used in these countries but the most barbaric is the public stoning, which means the person is buried standing up straight in the ground so only their head and shoulders is showing, then participants throw rocks and stones at them until they finally die from their wounds.
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#8 Bullfighting
Contrary to popular belief, bullfighting is not a competitive event. Instead, it is considered a cultural tradition which many believe is an art form. At a typical bullfight, spectators surround a large circular ring with several rows of seats, sometimes holding up to 50,000 people. Toreros, the bullfighters, step into the center of the ring and the wild bull is released, where the Toreros uses a brightly colored cape to goad the bull. He then stabs the bull repeatedly as it passes by him. To end the 'fight' a Matador then kills the raging bull with a sword, cutting off its horns in public display. These events have widely been criticized as the bull is placed into incredible stress then dies a painful and slow death for the sake of a tradional 'art'.
