Jhumpa Lahiri declines award from New York's Noguchi Museum over its action against pro-Palestine staffers

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has chosen to decline the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award from the Noguchi Museum in New York City. This decision follows the museum's dismissal of three employees for wearing the keffiyeh, a headdress commonly associated with Palestinian solidarity, as reported by The New York Times.

In a statement, the museum acknowledged, “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 museum recently instituted a new dress code prohibiting staff from donning items that convey political messages. This change was made after staff protests, with some asserting that the policy was “distinctly anti-Palestinian.” The keffiyeh has gained prominence as a symbol among demonstrators advocating for victims in Gaza, especially in light of Israel's ongoing military actions, which have caused significant casualties and displacement.

Importance of the keffiyeh as a protest symbol

The keffiyeh scarf is recognized globally as a symbol of Palestinian self-determination, worn by those calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza. It has historical significance; anti-apartheid South African leader Nelson Mandela was frequently seen wearing the scarf.?

However, some supporters of Israel contend that it represents support for extremism. Recently, an incident in Vermont involved three Palestinian descent students being shot, two of whom were wearing keffiyehs. The ongoing violence in Gaza, which has led to tens of thousands of deaths and mass displacement, escalated after a deadly attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7.

Who is Jhumpa Lahiri?

Jhumpa Lahiri was born in London in 1967 and raised in Rhode Island. She is celebrated for her profound portrayals of immigrant and Indian-American experiences, earning the Pulitzer Prize for her debut collection, Interpreter of Maladies (1999).?

This acclaimed work addresses themes of cultural displacement and identity, drawing from her own background as the daughter of Bengali immigrants. The collection features the award-winning title story and has been translated into 29 languages.

Her first novel, The Namesake (2003), explores the immigrant journey through the character Gogol Ganguli, who navigates his Indian heritage alongside American identity.?

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Lahiri has received numerous awards, including the PEN/Hemingway Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Currently residing in New York City with her husband, journalist Alberto Vourvoulias, and their two children, her work resonates deeply, capturing universal themes of longing, isolation, and the challenges of communication.

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