On Wednesday, Sep. 11th, the Noguchi Museum in New York City announced the dismissal of three employees who were reportedly terminated for wearing Palestinian keffiyeh headscarves, citing a breach of its recently revised dress code.
The museum’s Director of Visitor Services, who was also impacted by the new regulations, faced termination.
The updated policy, implemented last month by the museum established by the renowned Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, strictly prohibits staff from donning attire that conveys “political messages, slogans, or symbols.”
“While we understand that the intention behind wearing this garment was to express personal views, we recognize that such expressions can unintentionally alienate segments of our diverse visitorship,” it said in a statement.
Natalie Cappellini, one of the three gallery attendants who was fired, took to Instagram to say the museum leadership was weaponizing the term “political” against the Palestinian cause.
“I think the word ‘political’ is being weaponized to censor Palestinian culture and existence,” she said. “The politicization of the kaffiyeh is imposed by leadership.”
She added that the kaffiyeh was “a cultural garment and we are wearing it for cultural reasons.”
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