Criticism of Trump’s Remarks on Lesotho by Local Native Victoria Sethunya

Victoria Sethunya critiques Trump’s remarks on Lesotho, expressing her dismay at his mispronunciation and dismissal of the nation. She protested at the Idaho State Capitol, sharing the national anthem to emphasize her homeland’s beauty. Sethunya, highlighting the importance of cultural recognition, reflects on U.S.-Lesotho relations and funding issues affecting LGBTQ+ rights organizations.

Victoria Sethunya, a native of Lesotho residing in the Treasure Valley, has publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s remarks about her homeland. During a joint address to Congress, Trump erroneously pronounced the nation’s name and dismissed its significance, stating it was a country “which nobody has ever heard of.” This misrepresentation deeply upset Sethunya, who left Lesotho in the 1990s due to political unrest.

In response, Sethunya organized a protest at the Idaho State Capitol, where she recited the Lesotho national anthem and translated its emotional lyrics. She conveyed the pride and beauty of her homeland, pointing out, “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.”

Sethunya, now a mathematics teacher and Ph.D. candidate, expressed her disillusionment with Trump’s statements, questioning how the leader of a major nation could misrepresent such a significant culture. She remarked, “Your dismissal reeks of a failure to understand the depth of a people’s history, culture, struggles, and triumphs.”

The U.S. has maintained diplomatic relations with Lesotho since 1966, and significant investments have been made under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, totaling nearly one billion dollars over two decades. However, recent reports have revealed that Lesotho’s primary LGBTQ+ rights organization has not received the $8 million in assistance mentioned by Trump.

The foreign minister of Lesotho, in a discussion with NPR, revealed that much of the USAID funding is typically allocated to non-governmental organizations, emphasizing the detrimental effects of cuts to HIV/AIDS funding. He extended an invitation to President Trump, encouraging him to visit Lesotho and gain firsthand understanding of the country.

Victoria Sethunya’s protest against President Trump’s comments reflects a broader concern regarding the understanding and representation of Lesotho’s rich history and culture. Through her advocacy, she highlights the significance of accurate discourse between nations and underscores the impact of U.S. foreign policy in Lesotho. Her call for President Trump to visit Lesotho emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience in grasping the complexities of diverse societies.

Original Source: idahonews.com