He was shot in Vermont. Now he wants to go home to the West Bank
Dec 25, 2024
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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.
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.
The Community Response and Mobilization
Hisham's shooting unexpectedly galvanized an Arab-American community that had previously felt invisible in Rhode Island. In the wake of the attack, individuals like Palestinian organizer Rania Mustafa emerged, emphasizing the newfound solidarity and collective identity formed in response to Hisham's experience. Pro-Palestinian protests and discussions on college campuses brought awareness to the ongoing plight of Palestinians, with Hisham reluctantly becoming a symbol of this mobilization. This community response signifies not only a support network for Hisham and his family but also a renewed focus on social justice and activism within the Arab-American population.
Navigating Life Post-Injury
Following his return to Brown University, Hisham faced the challenging realities of adapting to life in a wheelchair while engaging with the movement for Palestinian rights. His transition back to campus life has been complicated by the heightened attention he received due to his shooting, creating feelings of isolation and pressure he never expected. Despite these challenges, Hisham actively participates in the Brown Divest Coalition, drawing parallels between his personal experiences and the broader struggles of Palestinians for liberation. His efforts reflect a compelling blend of resilience and commitment to working toward change, resonating strongly within his academic community.
A Longing for Home Amidst Conflict
Hisham's desire to return to the West Bank encapsulates a deep yearning for belonging and connection to his roots in a time of turmoil. As violence escalates in his homeland, his focus sharpens on the changing dynamics of life in the West Bank and the implications for his family. Conversations about the cultural and historical significance of his home underscore his determination to navigate his identity as a Palestinian living abroad. The podcast poignantly reveals Hisham's internal struggle as he seeks to reconcile his past experiences with his present reality, emphasizing the universal longing for home amidst the chaos of displacement and conflict.
Shot and severely injured while visiting family in Vermont in 2023, Hisham Awartani grapples with his recovery in the U.S., and the unfolding war at home in the West Bank.