Code Switch He was shot in Vermont. Now he wants to go home to the West Bank
Dec 25, 2024
Hisham Awartani, a Palestinian student at Brown University who was tragically shot in Vermont, discusses his journey of recovery and the emotional challenges that accompany it. Accompanied by his mother, Elizabeth Price, they share insights into family resilience amid ongoing conflict. Producer Suzanne Gabber highlights Hisham's unyielding spirit and activism, focusing on the broader implications of violence faced by Arab Americans. The conversation deeply explores identity, belonging, and the longing to return home amidst turmoil.
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Shooting in Vermont
- Hisham al-Awartani and two Palestinian friends were shot in Burlington, Vermont, while wearing kafiyas.
- Hisham was paralyzed from the chest down, and the shooting is investigated as a possible hate crime.
Grandmother's Perspective
- Hisham's grandmother, Marion Price, received a text from him saying he'd been shot.
- Hisham called her on FaceTime, and she witnessed paramedics working on him.
Hisham's Immediate Reaction
- Hisham didn't realize he was seriously injured until he saw blood on his phone and couldn't unlock it.
- He was unsure of his and his friends' survival after hearing the gunshots.