Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has made headlines by declining to accept the prestigious 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award from New York City’s Noguchi Museum. Her decision follows the museum’s controversial policy, which led to the firing of three employees for wearing keffiyeh head scarves, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
The museum, which was founded by Japanese-American designer and sculptor Isamu Noguchi, implemented a new dress code in August. This policy prohibits employees from wearing clothing or accessories that convey political messages, symbols, or slogans during working hours. The keffiyeh, recognized globally as a symbol of Palestinian self-determination, became a point of contention in the museum’s workplace.
On Wednesday, the museum issued a statement acknowledging Lahiri’s decision: “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 New York Times first broke the story, which has sparked widespread debate about freedom of expression in cultural institutions. The museum’s director, Amy Hau, defended the dress code, stating that it was designed to avoid “unintentional alienation of our diverse visitorship.” Hau emphasized the institution’s focus on advancing the appreciation of Noguchi’s legacy, rather than engaging in political issues.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators across the globe have worn the keffiyeh as a powerful symbol of protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The scarf is seen as a representation of Palestinian resilience and struggle for self-determination. However, some of Israel’s supporters argue that the keffiyeh also signals an endorsement of extremism.
The controversy surrounding the keffiyeh is not new. In November 2023, three students of Palestinian descent were shot in Vermont, with two of them wearing the scarf at the time of the attack. Similarly, in May of this year, a Palestinian-American nurse in New York was fired after referring to Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” during an acceptance speech. The nurse’s comments came amid rising tensions, as South Africa had formally accused Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, accusations that Israel denies.
Lahiri’s solidarity with Palestinian rights is not surprising to those familiar with her public stances. In May, she was one of thousands of academics who signed an open letter condemning Israel’s military operations in Gaza and expressing support for student protests across U.S. campuses.
Lahiri, known for her Pulitzer-winning work Interpreter of Maladies, was set to receive the Isamu Noguchi Award alongside Korean-born minimalist artist Lee Ufan. While Ufan will still receive his award at the museum’s benefit gala next month, Lahiri’s withdrawal has cast a shadow over the event.
This incident is part of a broader pattern in the United States, where individuals expressing solidarity with Palestine or criticizing Israel have faced professional and social repercussions. The debate continues over whether restrictions on pro-Palestinian symbols, like the keffiyeh, infringe on free speech or are necessary to maintain neutrality in public institutions.
