Pulitzer Prize: Jhumpa Lahiri declines US museum award in protest of treatment of pro-Palestine staff
PTC News Desk: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has decided to decline the Isamu Noguchi Award from the Noguchi Museum in Queens, New York, in response to the museum's recent ban on staff wearing politically expressive clothing. This policy led to the dismissal of three employees who had donned kaffiyehs, a traditional scarf symbolising solidarity with Palestinians in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In a statement released by the museum on Wednesday, officials confirmed that Lahiri had chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the award, which was scheduled for next month. The statement acknowledged her perspective, noting, "We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone’s views."
The museum emphasized its commitment to promoting the understanding of Isamu Noguchi's artistic legacy while maintaining values of inclusivity and openness.
The Noguchi Museum, established nearly 40 years ago by the acclaimed Japanese American artist and sculptor Isamu Noguchi, implemented the new dress code policy last month. This rule prohibits employees from wearing any clothing or accessories that convey political messages, slogans, or symbols during working hours, although it does not apply to museum visitors.
The policy was introduced following incidents where staff members had frequently worn kaffiyehs, which one terminated employee described as being for "cultural reasons."
In defense of the ban, the museum asserted that such expressions could inadvertently alienate parts of their diverse audience. This decision prompted a significant majority of the museum staff to sign a petition opposing the new rule.
Lahiri and Korean-born minimalist artist Lee Ufan were set to receive the Isamu Noguchi Award at the museum's fall benefit gala. While Ufan is still scheduled to receive his award, he has not commented on Lahiri's decision.
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Jhumpa Lahiri, born in London and now a prominent figure in contemporary literature, gained critical acclaim with her debut story collection, "Interpreter of Maladies," which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000. She has authored numerous works of fiction and nonfiction in both English and Italian, and currently directs the creative writing program at Barnard College. Through her literary agent, she chose not to comment further on the matter.
The recent tensions surrounding political expression within cultural institutions have intensified since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties and the ongoing conflict that has claimed thousands of lives in Gaza. In May, Lahiri joined a group of scholars who signed a letter expressing solidarity with protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza, condemning what they described as "unspeakable destruction."
The Noguchi Museum's funding is derived from royalties related to Noguchi's furniture and lighting designs, as well as his artistic legacy. Notably, the staff petition referencing the new policy also invoked Noguchi's experience during World War II, when he was voluntarily interned in an Arizona detention camp for Japanese Americans, advocating for improved conditions for his fellow detainees.
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- With inputs from agencies
