Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy

Episode: La mirada | Najat El Hachmi: "Integrarme en la cultura de Feijoo"
Host: SER Podcast with Najat El Hachmi
Date: October 2, 2025

Overview

This episode features a powerful commentary from Najat El Hachmi, who reflects critically and satirically on the call by Spanish politician Alberto Núñez Feijóo for immigrants to “integrate” into “our culture.” El Hachmi unpacks the ambiguities and problematic aspects of what this “Spanish culture” purportedly entails, especially as interpreted by right-leaning politics. She questions whether integration means adopting regressive and exclusionary values or if, instead, Spanish society should champion genuine egalitarian principles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Questioning What “Integration” and “Culture” Mean

• El Hachmi’s Opening Standpoint:
  • Najat El Hachmi, identifying as an immigrant, expresses a willingness in theory to heed Feijoo’s call:

    “Yo estoy dispuesta, como buena inmigrante que soy, a hacerle caso a Feijó. Me dispongo a integrarme, como él pide, en lo que llama nuestra cultura.” [00:08]

  • She immediately raises the issue of undefined national culture and what values it represents.

2. Critique of Political Contradictions

• Problematic Values Attributed to “Spanish Culture” (per Feijóo’s definition):
  • Denial of Gender-Based Violence:
    • El Hachmi questions if denying machista violence and associating with parties defending male supremacy is part of this culture.

    “Es cultura española negar la violencia machista o aliarse con partidos políticos que defienden la supremacía masculina y valores contrarios a los tratados internacionales y la Constitución.” [00:17]

  • Reproductive Rights Under Threat:
    • She wonders if doubting women’s reproductive rights and harassing those who opt for abortion is expected.

    “Tengo que asumir como nueva ciudadana que se pongan en duda los derechos reproductivos de las mujeres, acosando a las que tienen que interrumpir su embarazo.” [00:26]

  • Opposition to Social Justice:
    • Questions if being against social measures and public spending is integral.

    “Es también un valor de esta cultura estar en contra de cualquier medida que fomente la justicia social y recorta en gasto público.” [00:32]

  • Defense of Political Leaders During Crises:
    • Satirically references defending a politician enjoying a long lunch while citizens suffer flood disasters.

    “Tengo que incorporarme a los valores de un señor que defiende a un presidente que disfrutaba de una larga sobremesa mientras sus vecinos eran arrastrados por la gota fría.” [00:36]

3. Satirical List of "Cultural" Expectations

• Corruption & Criminal Associations:

  • El Hachmi jests about having to learn from corrupt politicians and befriend “illustrious drug traffickers.”

    “Debo aprender corrupción y latrocinio como tantos compañeros de filas del señor Feijo, hacerme amiga de ilustres narcotraficantes y otras destacadas figuras de la sociedad.” [00:43]

• Dishonesty and Cynicism:

  • Highlights the normalization of manipulation, lying, and demagogy, as if these were virtues to adopt.

    “Tengo que ser un poquito mentirosa, manipuladora, decir digo donde dije Diego, insultar y tergiversar, no tener otro principio que mis propios intereses. Abrazar el cinismo y la demagogia.” [00:50]

4. Personal Standpoint: Rejection and Alternative Vision

• A Firm Refusal:
  • Ultimately, El Hachmi declares that “it’s too much work” to integrate in this way and chooses not to assimilate into a culture defined by these aspects.

    “Es mucho trabajo, la verdad. Casi que me voy a arriesgar a no integrarme en esa cultura.” [00:57]

• Alternative Values: Equality and Freedom:
  • She advocates for integrating into a culture of true equality and liberty, one that respects all people regardless of gender or origin.

    “Prefiero una que le debe de parecer muy exótica al aspirante a inquilino de la Moncloa. La de la igualdad y la libertad para todos y todas, sin distinción de sexos ni procedencias.” [01:02]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Questioning Cultural Expectations:

  “Me dispongo a integrarme, como él pide, en lo que llama nuestra cultura. El problema me surge cuando intento entender en qué consiste exactamente esa cultura que dice que es la de todos en este país.” —Najat El Hachmi [00:10]

• Satirical Critique of "Integration":

  “Tengo que ser un poquito mentirosa, manipuladora, decir digo donde dije Diego, insultar y tergiversar, no tener otro principio que mis propios intereses.” —Najat El Hachmi [00:50]

• Uplifting Alternative:

  “Prefiero una que le debe de parecer muy exótica al aspirante a inquilino de la Moncloa. La de la igualdad y la libertad para todos y todas, sin distinción de sexos ni procedencias.” —Najat El Hachmi [01:02]

Key Segment Timestamps

• 00:08 – 00:17: El Hachmi’s mock willingness to “integrate” & questioning what that means
• 00:17 – 00:43: Satirical breakdown of problematic “cultural” values
• 00:43 – 00:50: Commentary on corruption, dishonesty, and manipulation
• 00:57 – 01:02: Refusal to integrate into regressive values; affirmation of equality and freedom

Tone and Style

El Hachmi uses biting satire, irony, and pointed rhetorical questions to challenge political narratives around immigration and national identity. She exposes underlying hypocrisies and proposes a more just, inclusive idea of Spanish society—one that embraces equality and freedom as core values.

Summary Conclusion
Najat El Hachmi’s reflection calls listeners to critically examine what it means to “integrate,” inviting a shift from imposed, conservative interpretations to a vision of Spain rooted in equality and liberty. Her monologue is both a denunciation of regressive politics and a passionate plea for a more open, fair, and inclusive society.