Victoria Sethunya, a Lesotho native, criticized President Trump for mispronouncing her home country and labeling it as unknown during a congressional address. She expressed her disappointment in a public protest, highlighting the significance of Lesotho’s rich culture and history. Despite U.S. investments in combating HIV/AIDS, recent reports indicate discrepancies in promised financial support for LGBTQ+ rights organizations in Lesotho.
Victoria Sethunya, a native of Lesotho residing in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, has expressed strong disapproval of remarks made by President Donald Trump regarding her homeland. During a joint address to Congress, Trump incorrectly stated, “the African nation of Lesotho, which nobody has ever heard of,” prompting Sethunya to publicly voice her concern at the Idaho State Capitol.
Having fled Lesotho in the 1990s due to political conflict, Sethunya recited the Lesotho national anthem as part of her protest, translating its lyrics to highlight the beauty and significance of her homeland. She stated, “Lesotho the land of our fathers, among the worlds it is a beautiful one. That is where we were born. That is where we grew up. We love it.”
As a current teacher and a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics, Sethunya shared her dismay regarding Trump’s misconceptions. She criticized him by saying, “How does the president of this big country make a false statement like that? Your dismissal reeks of a failure to understand the depth of a people’s history, culture, struggles, and triumphs.”
The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Lesotho in 1966, fostering a productive partnership over the years. Significant investments through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief have contributed nearly a billion dollars to combat HIV/AIDS in Lesotho during the past two decades.
Reports also reveal that Lesotho’s foremost LGBTQ+ rights organization did not receive the pledged $8 million mentioned in the presidential address. The country’s foreign minister highlighted that USAID funding predominantly supports non-governmental organizations, and budget cuts to HIV/AIDS funding would have detrimental effects. He extended an invitation to President Trump to visit Lesotho to gain firsthand insight into the nation.
Victoria Sethunya’s criticism of President Trump’s remarks reflects a deep commitment to her homeland, Lesotho. Her protest underscores the importance of recognizing and valuing the history and culture of nations that may be less known. Sethunya’s call for understanding emphasizes the ongoing contributions made by the United States towards combating HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, while also pointing to the need for accurate representation of the country on the world stage.
Original Source: idahonews.com
