About my appointment

The writer Brenda Lozano, in Mexico City.EFE

A few days ago I received the invitation to the position as cultural attaché of Mexico in Spain and director of the Institute of Culture of Mexico in Spain by the Ministry of Foreign Relations. I accepted it with humility, in view of the importance of representing the very diverse Mexican cultural expressions in a country abroad with which there is constant communication between creators and ideas. I put emphasis on younger artists, on gender parity and perspective, on the LGBT + community, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable or habitually excluded groups, and seeking to explore possible dialogues between new cultural expressions and the tradition that precedes us with a high elevation. I accepted the public position - historically held by writers, mostly men - with the genuine interest of listening,open doors and build bridges from a non-patriarchal position in favor of the rights of all people, and bearing in mind my place as part of the cultural community.

More information

• Mexico ends the contract of the writer Jorge F. Hernández as cultural attaché in Spain

• Enrique Márquez, director of cultural diplomacy, resigns due to the controversy over the attachés in Spain

I am part of a generation of feminists that seeks to change the social and cultural narrative.

I believe that there is a long way in Mexico to eradicate violence against women that occurs at various levels and a long way in terms of human rights to be able, among a long list of freedoms, to decide freely about our bodies.

I am not "conservative", nor do I have to do with groups chaired by older men, in fact, I was not born when these intellectual groups were formed and were in force.

I am part of a young generation of women who fight from their trenches - in my case from culture - for freedom of expression, parity, the gender perspective and the importance of a broad and inclusive idea of ​​culture. I voted for Andrés Manuel López Obrador in the past three presidential elections convinced that democracy and cultural freedom are intrinsic, in addition to that many voices would have a place in his project, even those who disagree on gender issues. Like other feminists within the government, I think there is an opportunity for this transformation of the narrative from within. Precisely because there are a diversity of positions and policies, I think it would be possible to help redirect them with the principles that I defend. With this I am committed both in my personal life and in my work.

In recent days I have been the object of an inordinate amount of violent and misogynistic attacks against me, insults, threats to my integrity and a large number of falsehoods that stem from the claim of having dissented. I decide not to listen to those voices. I decide to strengthen myself with all the expressions of support and affection that I have received. Apart from the insults, many affirm that my critical positions, the dismissal and the resignation that has occurred in the Ministry of Foreign Relations should lead me to present my resignation. I think otherwise.

If accepting to represent the culture of my country in the Embassy of Mexico in Spain, as part of a cultural community and as part of a new generation that defends freedom of expression, feminisms, vulnerable groups and a non-patriarchal and anti-racist stance, caused this controversy, it is not my role to promote the idea that Mexican culture should require an ideological affiliation. On the other hand, I could participate in an open cultural policy that represents the diversity of production and for this reason I accepted the position that they extended to me in the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

The controversy raised left me alone in the middle of a political war and power struggles that, deep down, have little to do with me, but before which I want to defend my principles in favor of feminism, freedom of expression and critical thinking .

I believe that the defense of women's rights, cultural diversity and freedom of expression are more necessary today than ever.

And with all conviction I will continue to fight for it.

Subscribe here

to the

of EL PAÍS México and receive all the informative keys of the current situation of this country