The Noguchi Museum in New York City has recently made headlines after terminating three gallery attendants who refused to comply with a new rule banning staff from wearing keffiyehs, a traditional Palestinian headscarf. The controversial policy was met with strong opposition from workers, leading to protests outside the museum and a performance by musician Alex Zhang Hungtai wearing a keffiyeh in solidarity with the terminated employees.
The gallery attendants, including Trasonia Abbott, Natalie Cappellini, and Q. Chen, were all let go after they expressed their refusal to adhere to the new dress code. The director of Visitor Services was also terminated during the fallout of the policy announcement. The workers argued that the keffiyeh is a cultural garment and not a political symbol, as claimed by museum leadership.
During a meeting with museum officials, Abbott, Cappellini, and Chen were informed that they would be sent home without pay for wearing keffiyehs. The staff members believe that the policy goes against the values of Isamu Noguchi, whose works at the museum address themes of war and social justice.
The protests outside the museum saw signs with messages like “Free Palestine” and “Stop the Keffiyeh Ban,” highlighting the workers’ opposition to the new policy. Former Astoria resident Taylor Buser, a supporter of Noguchi’s works, condemned the ban as “extremely shameful” and emphasized the importance of personal and cultural expression in a diverse city like New York.
Current employees of the museum expressed concerns about the negative impact of the policy on workplace morale, with some describing feelings of frustration and powerlessness among staff members. The implementation of the dress code update raised questions and confusion among workers, with one employee being sent home for wearing a scarf that resembled a keffiyeh but did not feature its traditional pattern.
Despite facing professional reprisal, the terminated workers and their supporters remain steadfast in their opposition to the ban, emphasizing the importance of cultural expression and solidarity with the Palestinian people. The protests culminated in a collective chant around the museum building, with participants distributing watermelon-flavored lollypops with QR codes linking to a fundraiser for a nurse in Gaza.
In the face of mounting criticism, the Noguchi Museum has declined to comment on personnel matters. The controversy surrounding the keffiyeh ban has sparked a broader conversation about freedom of expression, cultural sensitivity, and the role of museums in addressing political issues.
