The Running of The Bulls festival began with its “Chupinazo” on the first day on 6th July in Spain. With revellers going crazy and women flashing their breasts for others to grope them, we discuss how this act walks on the thin line between freedom and stupidity.
One of the most popular festivals in Spain, the San Fermín or the Running of The Bulls festival’s opening day saw plenty of wine splashing, breasts flashing and hormones lashing. Quite literally. Thousands of revellers gathered to bathe themselves in red wine and go berserk with the confetti and quite disturbingly, grope the breasts of women who flashed them voluntarily.
Yes. Voluntarily. Confused? So am I.
Which is why it begs me to question that at exactly what point of time, do we draw a line between freedom of “expression” and total idiocy.
Sure, there are confident women who are comfortable with their sexuality but is the exhibition of that comfort on a public medium in front of strangers the only way to prove their point?
The show of nudity under the name of a social cause isn’t a new phenomenon, by the way. Take the “Free The Nipple” campaign on Twitter, which in the name of women empowerment indirectly promoted blatant exhibitionism of nudity by women on social media and ended up making a mockery of a good cause.
And is the reciprocation of this act (men groping women at the festival) really a means of display of support by the opposite sex or just a way to subconsciously take advantage of the situation?
Now, I hate to be a prude in this situation but my personal opinion doesn’t mean that I reflect a particular community and as for this case, I find the situation and the rituals as absurd. Every day, we see thousands of cases of sexual harassment worldwide and yet women somehow feel comfortable with consensual groping? How is that logical by any means?
This fest has already come under periodic scrutiny for risking the lives of at least 200-300 people every year by making them dodge bulls and now we have another element added to it.
People may be nonchalant or dismissive about this by referring to the involved individuals as drunk but that only makes things worse. Have we really come that far as a species that we’ll breach limits of common sense by indulging in willful public nudity in the name of celebration?
And this paints a really contrasting picture among the general mindset of people.
On one side, we are taught to be respectful towards women and not objectify them in any manner and on the other side, we are free to watch them semi-naked, cop a feel of their bodies and call it festive mood. What do we learn from this contrast?
If by any chance, the argument of women empowerment comes into play, then I guess there are better methods for that such as providing education, resources, jobs and safety to women rather than encouraging them for nudity to emphasize their equality.
Sure it sounds cliché and archaic while reading, but as smart people, we really need to question ourselves and not be hypocrites when it comes to respecting the opposite sex.
And as for women, if you still believe that the festivities of this event are “cool” and empowering, well, then I guess you really need to look at the bigger picture and its consequences.
Your move, feminists.
You’d also like to read:
http://edtimes.in/2016/07/ed-vox-pop-as-an-indian-woman-do-you-feel-safe-in-public-areas-like-stations-bus-stands-and-airports-what-threatens-you-the-most-in-the-public-places-2/
Yes, but…
All the womens Who do this (nudity, jump from Navarreria’s fountain,…) are foreighners from other countries (principally Great Britain, USA ir Australia) because the travelling companies sold It like It was a tradición herencia, but no one from here do this things, only people from other countries.
We don’t like this things, but these aren’t our traditions, are only yours.
Dear Mr. Singh,
I am sorry to say that I am quite disgusted with your article. You have expressed a level of ignorance that is dangerous considering the viewership you receive. The most egregious mistake is in your understanding of sexual harassment. By definition, sexual harassment occurs during non-consensual physical intimacy and when vulnerable youth are groomed into doing sexual acts for the benefit of adults. If adult women or men decide to flaunt their bodies and allow others to get intimate (groping), it is not harassment or devaluation of their gender. They are having a good time and no one has the right to interfere, unless public safety is concerned or if it is in violation of provincial laws. It is not illogical, nor an idiocy.. or a breach of common sense nor a form of stupidity. You have not given any good arguments as to why you think they are. I am also uncomfortable at the misuse of these words to advance your point. I suggest you refer a dictionary, understand their meaning and reflect if you have used them properly in the context. I am afraid you appear as a sensationalist or a culturally intolerant person.
Women empowerment comes into the fore to prevent objections from men like you impeding the freedom of humans (especially females), indulging in consensual groping. Yes, there are a multitude of ways to empower men and women. I don’t think feminists, social activists or the individuals themselves who participate in consensual groping argue that this is the ONLY way.
I was hoping to read an article that explores how men take advantage of these situations, the gray area of consensual sexual acts with strangers during a public celebration; but I found a grossly judgmental rambling of a prude.
You end the article encouraging the reader to see the big picture and the consequences. But what are they? You have not tackled them in any good measure or given helpful hints.
I am severely disappointed to find such a quality of writing in EDtimes and would not recommend this article to anyone.
P.S: I explored some of the other articles you have written and was far from pleased. As a concerned fellow human I encourage you to introspect on the manner of your writing (including verbal accuracy and clarity).
This article is only about a few people. I don’t think you should judge all women by this ( You may not be, but it certainly seems like it). I mean Hitler was a man, should we be judging all men by him?