No No Rodeo

I’m not exactly a “radical” when it comes to issues of animal rights (I still eat them, after all), but I firmly believe that animals deserve to be treated with the same dignity and respect that we human animals owe one another.

That’s why I was surprised and a little dismayed when I saw that this year’s Maritime Fall Fair was going to include an “Extreme Rodeo Competition,” featuring bronc and bull riding, events where success is measured largely by a rider’s ability not to get kicked off a bucking beast. From where I sit, that looks like nothing more than a cruel display of empty macho mastery over unwilling animals who appear to be struggling or, at the very least, extremely unhappy.

But what do I know? I’ve only ridden a horse maybe twice in my life, and the only bull I’m familiar with is the type that issues regularly from the mouths of government PR hacks.

In search of someone who knows more about horses than I do, I looked up Dan Isner, owner of Isner Stables in Harrietsfield. His family has operated a working farm for over sixty years, and he put it to me this way: “You've almost got to grow up with animals to know (whether or not it’s cruel). It's hard to explain to outsiders. These animals don't work any more than five or ten minutes a year, and they are well taken care of. There are a lot worse places they could end up – like being shipped off for meat. They get a longer life this way.”

Perhaps that’s true, but it still feels to me like the whole ethos of rodeo is off-kilter. It may be that the way people feel about the issue reflects the urban/rural divide – a culture clash of sorts. But I also think there has to be more to it than that.

A few weeks ago, Scott Millar, chair of the Nova Scotia SPCA’s Advocacy Committee, wrote an impassioned letter to the Chronicle Herald, making the case that rodeos are dangerous and cruel, and citing the fact that three horses and a steer were killed at this year’s Calgary Stampede. Those horses had all been involved in chuckwagon racing, which, it’s worth noting, was not an event at the Maritime Fall Fair. But two of those horses died of heart attacks following the races, and one suffered a broken leg and was euthanized on the track in front of thousands of spectators. The steer was euthanized after it suffered a spinal injury while being wrestled to the ground.

“Perhaps the worst aspect of rodeos,” Millar wrote, “is that they are billed as family events. Children, most of whom have a natural affection for animals, learn at the rodeo that this is an acceptable way to treat them. I, for one, would prefer that my children learn respect and kindness for all living beings.”

I have to agree with that, and I don’t even have children. Besides, in what other spectator sport would it be considered acceptable to have the athletes die as a direct result of the competition? If football players were routinely dropping dead after a particularly spirited game, would we accept that as just an unfortunate consequence of the sport?

My gut says that this exercise in dominance isn’t sporting at all, because ultimately, displaying superiority over animals isn’t the way we should be gauging our success as a species, anyway.

No Hockey Heroes

This is going to tick a lot of people off, but I’m going to say it anyway: I’m sick of hearing Sidney Crosby referred to as a “hero.”

The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was the sight of a banner that was recently raised at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, congratulating Sidney Crosby for his part in winning the Stanley Cup. The banner reads: “Congratulations, Sidney! Our Hometown Hero.”

Listen, I get that the guy is an extremely talented athlete. I get that he has worked really hard and achieved his dream, something not a lot of people ever have the skills or opportunity to do. I get that he’s a classy guy, very generous and giving of his time, especially with kids. He really seems to be an authentic and inspiring role model. And I admire and respect him for all those things.

But in my mind, a hero is someone who sacrifices him- or herself for others. Who puts his or her life on the line. Who performs selfless acts for the greater good. And as important as hockey is to many people, it’s not life and death, folks. So unless Sidney Crosby has rushed headlong into a burning building lately and stick-handled some sleepy smoker to safety, his many laudable achievements just don’t add up to “heroism,” in my eyes.

And I would suggest that this is a rule which could be applied to all so-called sports “heroes.”

I can almost feel the indignation directed toward me as I write this, knowing full well that sport in general, and hockey in particular, are sacred subjects to many Haligonians.

But don’t leap to conclusions. I’m not suggesting that being involved in sport doesn’t offer a great deal of social good. At risk of stating the obvious, sport is clearly a good way to learn leadership, confidence, and teamwork. Crosby’s a great example of that. Certainly, the lessons learned through sport have spurred many people on to become productive and involved citizens. My own grandfather was a multi-talented athlete – a baseball player, hockey player, boxer – and a marathoner who ran with Johnny Miles. My uncle was a skilled boxer, who won the Silver Gloves in 1948. Both great men, charitable, engaged and active citizens. Their many sporting achievements are admirable, for sure. But heroic? No.

My gut feeling is that when people start throwing the word “hero” around in reference to someone who’s particularly good at smacking a lump of cold rubber around with a stick, or someone who can run really fast or punch really hard, or who can hit a baseball really far, it just diminishes its impact when we apply it to the people who truly deserve it.

We can all be proud of “Sid the Kid” and his spectacular achievements, and I’m as pleased as anyone else that he’s a local boy who has made good in the big, bad world of professional sport.

But I’ll say it again – he’s not my hero.