Podcast Summary:

Carne Cruda #1639 – Ni de aquí ni de allí: Infancias racializadas (EFECTO LLAMADA)
Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Javier Gallego (La República Independiente)
Main Guests & Voices: Youssef, Juan Crudos Díaz, Desiré Bela Lobede, Lucía Bomío, Lauren Leger, Violeta Herrero

Overview and Main Theme

This episode delves into the experiences of “infancias racializadas” (racialized childhoods) in Spain, focusing on the lives of those who, growing up children of immigrants or as racial minorities, have felt neither fully from "here" nor entirely from "there". Through personal stories and collective memory, the episode explores how identity, belonging, love, and care are constructed across cultures — and how Spain’s narrative has long failed to reflect these realities. The program seeks to reclaim these voices, demonstrating the power and need for self-representation in building a truly inclusive society.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Silence and Marginalization of Racialized Childhoods in Spain

• Introduction to Topic ([02:48-03:22])
  Hosts note that in the 70s and 80s, Spain saw very few children of immigrants; those who were present grew up largely without cultural mirrors or representation, feeling “ni de aquí ni de allí".
• Structural Exclusion ([04:23-06:38], [12:31-14:09])
  Youssef and Juan Crudos Díaz emphasize that the stories of racialized people were peripheral, excluded from mainstream narratives ("como si fueran historias periféricas", [06:55]).
  Juan points out: "Las infancias racializadas...importar mucho no importa...y los cuidados y las infancias están invisibilizadas, los cuidados y las infancias racializadas el doble." ([12:38])

2. Identity, Belonging, and “El Bilingüismo del Amor”

• Hybrid Identities and Affective Bilingualism ([08:08-19:19])
  Juan Crudos Díaz describes her experience as a "restaurant kid" — child of Chinese immigrants — raised largely by a Spanish nanny (“mami Loli”), creating "dos familias… dos culturas gastronómicas, dos acentos, dos idiomas" ([18:21]).
  The transmission of love and care across two cultures — the “bilingualism of love” — is a recurring theme, echoed later by Desiré Bela Lobede: “El amor se expresa de otra manera y tú de niña no lo sabes interpretar.” ([16:47])
• Desiré Bela Lobede on Dual Families ([22:54-24:27])
  Desiré, Afrodescendant writer, speaks about being raised by both her working mother (from Guinea) and a white Andalusian family.
  She notes how this upbringing placed her simultaneously inside and outside both cultures, leading to complex feelings of belonging and occasionally alienation.

3. The Absence and Construction of Collective Reference Points

• Lack of Media Representation ([05:02-07:47])
  Youssef recounts growing up as the only racialized child in his school and never seeing people like himself positively depicted in Spanish TV or books, only in clichéd or criminalized roles.
  The hosts recall the viral impact of the Black “Little Mermaid”– children “absolutamente maravillada[s] de identificar a alguien como ella en la pantalla.” ([07:33])
• Recognition and Healing in Adult Life ([14:27])
  For both Juan and others, hearing these stories as adults is “sanador”, providing recognition and helping to integrate or reclaim parts of their identity once rejected in their youth.

4. Intersecting Experiences Across Communities

• Commonalities beyond the Chinese Community ([21:36-22:10])
  Juan originally thought Spanish caregiving of immigrant children was unique to the Chinese experience; she later discovered its presence among Afrodescendant and Bolivian families, among others.
• Diverse Family Structures as Historical Memory ([33:22-35:40])
  The podcast project “Mi familia española” gathers these intertwined family stories, asserting “esto es memoria histórica, no sólo la memoria histórica tiene cierto color de piel o ciertos apellidos.”

5. The Emotional and Political Complexity of Teaching and Raising Racialized Children

• Parental Dilemmas and Generational Change ([30:11-32:17])
  Desiré describes how she purposely teaches her daughters, now teens, tools for racial resilience — something prior generations, struggling with survival, could not do.

  “Lo primero que les enseñas a decir cuando ya pueden hablar es ‘por favor, no me toque el pelo’ ... el discurso antirracista en mi casa es súper político.” ([30:11])

• Lucía Bomío’s Perspective ([38:23-41:50])
  Journalist Lucía Bomío shares growing up bi-cultural in the 80s, the pressure to appear “exceptional” to avoid negative stereotypes, and how parental responses (even “tienes que defenderte” after racist insults) shaped her sense of self.

6. The Role of Extended Family, Elders, and Artistic Memory

• Project “Afromayores” ([43:03-51:14])
  Lauren Leger documents the oral histories of Afrodescendant people over 65 in Spain, giving dignity and visibility through long, consent-based portrait sessions.

  “Era una manera de enseñar esa dignidad, de mostrar que esos, para nosotros... son superhéroes.” ([43:57])

• Underappreciated Presence
  Leger: “Parece mentira que ahora España se da cuenta que hay gente negra, mayor... y no solo recién llegada.” ([46:56])

7. Racism Beyond Overt Violence — Silence, Stereotypes, and Institutional Failures

• Silence and Lack of Reference ([52:59-53:27])
  Youssef: “El racismo es también el silencio y la falta de referencias, como hemos visto. Y escuchar estas voces es un acto de responsabilidad colectiva.”
• Recent Case: Police Violence ([56:12-57:55])
  Discussion of the death of Haitham Mehri in custody, illustrating the intersection of racism, police violence, and institutional neglect.
  Youssef: “No hay que ver como un caso aislado... esperamos que esta vez sí haya justicia.” ([57:16])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Identity, Belonging, and Language

  “Hay dos palabras que se han demonizado mucho... efecto llamada.” – Youssef ([03:24-03:43])
  “Crecí escuchando dichos, refranes y lugares comunes sobre mí, es decir, sobre los moros... dicha como verdades absolutas que nadie cuestionaba.” – Youssef ([04:31])

• On the Absence of Reference Points

  “Es un no existes, pero cuando existes, es para mal.” – Youssef ([05:41])
  “No solo se trata de falta de representación, sino de narrativas controladas por otros.” – General point across [06:38-07:47]

• On Bilingualism of Love and Upbringing

  “El amor también es tener unas zapatillas que no estén rotas y también es tener libros en el cole.” – Juan Crudos Díaz ([27:47])
  “En la casa de mi tata sabía que podía meterme en su cama el sábado por la mañana con ella y con Lolo, y que el amor se expresaba de una forma muy física. Pero con mi madre guineana eso no estaba ahí.” – Desiré Bela Lobede ([24:37])

• On Generational Change

  “Mi madre estaba aquí sobreviviendo, pluriempleada al máximo... Yo... puedo sentar y hablar con mis hijas sobre lo que implica ser personas negras.” – Desiré Bela Lobede ([30:11])

• On Creating and Recognizing Memory

  “Esto es memoria histórica, no sólo la memoria histórica tiene cierto color de piel o ciertos apellidos.” – Juan Crudos Díaz ([33:22])

• On the Power of Testimony and Artistic Representation

  “No solo era rostros, pero historia... devolver la dignidad, porque esas personas son dignas por sus historias, por lo que han pasado.” – Lauren Leger ([43:57]) “Parece mentira que ahora España se da cuenta que hay gente negra, mayor, vieja y no solo recién llegada...” – Lauren Leger ([46:56])

• On Exclusion and the Need for Inclusion

  “Nombrarlas es un acto de justicia. Lo que no se cuenta no se reconoce ni se conoce. Y lo que no se reconoce no se protege.” – Youssef ([52:59])

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:00-02:48 – Listener messages; introduction to today’s episode theme
• 02:48-03:43 – Setting the context: demographic change, “ni de aquí ni de allí”
• 03:43-05:59 – Youssef’s experience and the weight of social stereotypes
• 06:00-08:31 – Discussion of role models, public absence, power of shared narratives
• 08:31-12:31 – Entry into “restaurant kids” stories, caregiving across communities (Juan, Kwan)
• 12:31-14:14 – Media, representation, and “el nicho” of racialized childhoods
• 14:17-22:10 – Deep dive into family structures and caregiving, including Bolivian and Afrodescendant perspectives
• 22:10-27:47 – Desire and Juan debate love languages and material care
• 27:47-33:22 – Discussing visibility, monolithic narratives, and building collective memory
• 33:23-37:01 – Funding, creative independence, and the political intimacy of these testimonials
• 37:06-43:03 – Recap and segue to Lucía Bomío and Lauren Leger ("Afromayores”)
• 43:03-51:35 – Interview with Lauren Leger on Afrodescendent elders in Spain
• 51:35-54:23 – Recommendations for antiracist activities, upcoming events, and book release
• 54:25-59:38 – Closing reflections; discussion of police violence and need for systemic change; musical wrap-up

Recommendations & Resources

• Podcast: Mi familia española (by Juan Crudos Díaz/Kuang Tzu)
• Books:
  • “Ser mujer negra en España” – Desiré Bela Lobede
  • “Hija del camino” – Lucía Bomío
  • “Vivir contra el pogromo. Violencia racial en España” – Youssef, Silvia Agüero, Nicolás Jiménez
• Art Project: Afromayores, by Lauren Leger and Lucía Bomío (YouTube/Instagram)
• Upcoming Events: Semana Antirracista (March 21–27); Cool Futura at the Reina Sofía

Final Reflections

The episode closes with a call for collective memory, inclusive storytelling, and political responsibility:

“Solo cuando todas las infancias tienen lugar en el relato común podemos entonces hablar de una igualdad real.” – Youssef ([53:52])

The stories told are not marginal, but vital to understanding Spain’s present and dreaming of a more inclusive future.

Episode hashtag: #InfanciasRacializadas #NiDeAquíNiDeAllí #CarneCruda1639