Victoria Sethunya, a Lesotho native living in Idaho, criticized President Trump’s remarks about her country, which he mispronounced and trivialized. She protested at the Idaho State Capitol, reciting the national anthem’s translation to emphasize Lesotho’s beauty and significance. Sethunya, now a teacher and Ph.D. candidate, highlighted the importance of cultural understanding and voiced disappointment over U.S. funding issues in Lesotho.
Victoria Sethunya, a native of Lesotho residing in Idaho, has publicly expressed her discontent regarding President Donald Trump’s comments about her homeland made during a joint address to Congress. Trump mispronounced the name of Lesotho, referring to it as “the African nation of Lesotho, which nobody has ever heard of.”
Sethunya, who emigrated from Lesotho in the 1990s amidst political turmoil, demonstrated her objection at the Idaho State Capitol by reciting a translation of the national anthem, emphasizing the beauty and legacy of her country. Her recitation included poignant lyrics that highlight the significance of Lesotho to its people.
Currently a teacher and a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics, Sethunya articulated her deep disappointment, stating, “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.”
Diplomatic relations between the United States and Lesotho began in 1966, fostering fruitful collaboration. The U.S. has invested nearly a billion dollars over two decades through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to support the fight against HIV/AIDS in Lesotho.
However, reports reveal that Lesotho’s leading LGBTQ+ rights organization has not received the promised $8 million in funding, as mentioned during Trump’s speech. The country’s foreign minister, in discussion with NPR, indicated that cuts to HIV/AIDS funding are detrimental and invited President Trump to visit Lesotho for a firsthand experience of the nation.
Victoria Sethunya’s protest against President Trump’s remarks sheds light on the rich cultural and historical significance of Lesotho. Her efforts emphasize the importance of accurate representation and understanding of diverse nations. Despite longstanding diplomatic relations, recent funding challenges reveal the complexities involved in international aid and the need for improved support for vulnerable communities.
Original Source: idahonews.com
