Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri declined to accept an award from New York City’s Noguchi Museum Wednesday after it sacked three employees for wearing ‘keffiyeh’, a headdress that’s become heavily associated with Palestinian solidarity, reported The New York Times.
“Jhumpa Lahiri has chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award in response to our updated dress code policy… We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone’s views,” the museum said in a statement.
Last month, the museum, founded by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, updated its dress code policy, prohibiting museum staff from wearing anything that expressed “political messages” or displayed political slogans or symbols.
The policy, which does not apply to visitors, came into effect several months after some staff members began wearing kaffiyehs, for what one fired employee termed “cultural reasons.”
Last month, upon the institution of the new dress code, a group of employees had even staged a walkout deeming the policy “distinctly anti-Palestinian”. As per ARTnews, all gallery attendants and shop associates has participated walk out, while outside security staff temporarily assumed their duties.
Across the world, protesters demanding an end to Israel’s war in Gaza have worn the black-and-white head scarf to signal their support for the victims in Gaza. Israel’s supporters, meanwhile, say the scarf symbolises backing “extremism”.
Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly everyone in the besieged enclave.
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