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.
47:10
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Quick takeaways
- Hisham Awartani's traumatic experience as a shooting survivor highlights the intersection of personal pain and the broader anti-Palestinian sentiments in America.
- The community's solidarity in response to Hisham's shooting emphasizes a renewed focus on social justice and activism among Arab-Americans, navigating their identity amidst geopolitical conflicts.
Deep dives
Hisham's Story: A Personal and Political Trauma
Hisham al-Ratani's experience highlights the intersection of personal trauma and broader socio-political issues faced by Palestinians. After surviving a shooting in Burlington, Vermont, that left him paralyzed from the chest down, Hisham and his family have been navigating the aftermath against the backdrop of escalating violence in the West Bank. The podcast discusses the chilling similarities of Hisham's story with historical patterns of anti-Arab hate crimes, invoking memories of post-9/11 sentiments. This narrative captures the fear and alienation felt by many Arab Americans as they contend with resurgent anti-Palestinian sentiments in the wake of ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
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