We are still in the bear market I believe. But what I see and observe is that some traders are taking advantage of the market dip which makes them profitable also. I guess bear mode is important because the market needs to go through a cycle and bear cannot be avoided.
You had already answered your own question and doubts on mind. Bears would always been part of the cycle and every trading market there would be always sellers and buyers because we cant really able to call it as a market if we dont see declining prices which means its a normal thing and do have its own purpose why we are making money and losing out too.This is why as a trader we should really be smart on how to utilize bear market.