Three Fired From NYC Museum for Wearing Keffiyehs

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Facts

  • New York City's Noguchi Museum announced Wednesday it fired three employees for wearing keffiyeh headscarves, which have become a symbol of the pro-Palestine movement. The museum said the scarves violated its policy against 'political messages, slogans or symbols.'[1]
  • The museum further stated that while it recognizes the 'intention' behind the scarves 'was to express personal views,' it claimed that 'such expressions can unintentionally alienate segments of our diverse visitorship.'[2][3]
  • In a response on Instagram, one of the employees, Natalie Cappellini, accused the museum of using the term 'political' as a means to fight against the pro-Palestinian movement.[4]
  • Fifty separate employees sent out a statement alleging that the museum's actions were part of a 'retaliatory practice against outspoken people of color at the Museum,' with other activists campaigning on social media calling on people to wear keffiyehs at Noguchi and other museums.[2]
  • This follows recent similar firings, including a Palestinian American nurse who was dismissed from her New York City hospital after she claimed during an award acceptance speech that Israel was committing 'genocide.'[4]

Sources: [1]Timesofisrael, [2]Middleeastmonitor, [3]Newsmax and [4]NBC.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Hammer & Hope. The US has reached a point where Americans who support Palestine must live in fear of losing their jobs. The US is home to the most powerful colleges, media companies, and corporations, all of which work in tandem to promote Israel's genocidal ambitions and crush all dissenting voices. It's sad that after all these institutions came together in solidarity with other groups of color, they're now refusing to do so when it comes to Palestinians.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry. Despite claims to the contrary, the black and white keffiyeh being worn today is not just a head scarf in solidarity with Palestinian civilians. In fact, many of these scarves display the symbol of the Al Aqsa mosque and the statement 'Jerusalem is ours'—a message not of peace but rather the destruction of Israel. Besides, It's completely reasonable for the Noguchi Museum to uphold its dress code.