A Seattle-based museum, the Wing Luke Museum, has temporarily closed after employees accused its “Confronting Hate Together” exhibit of inadvertently supporting Israel rather than addressing all forms of hate. The exhibit was opened to explore anti-Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander hate, Black hate, and anti-Jewish hate. The employees, organizing under the handle @wlm4palestine on Instagram, believe that the exhibit is conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism, and are demanding the removal of any language attempting to frame Palestinian liberation and anti-Zionism as antisemitism. The strike, consisting of more than 20 employees, including front-of-house staff and part-time workers, took place on the opening day of the exhibit.
The striking employees’ demands also include acknowledgment of the limited perspectives presented in the exhibition, especially those of Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslim communities experiencing increased violence, scapegoating, and demonization. They have set up a GoFundMe campaign to compensate for missed wages, which has raised nearly $4,000. The funds will provide financial relief for rent, utilities, food, medical bills, and other living expenses for the employees withholding labor. The Wing Luke Museum issued a sympathetic statement in response to the strikes, acknowledging and supporting the right of staff to express their beliefs and holding space for a careful and thoughtful process of listening to multiple perspectives in pursuit of a mutual way forward.
Despite the museum’s support of the protests, there has been criticism in the comments section of their Facebook post. Some commenters expressed disappointment in the museum and its staff for making life less safe and more isolated for Jewish communities. Others questioned why one opinion should dictate what is acceptable for everyone else, suggesting that the protests demonstrate the need for more exhibits like “Confronting Hate Together” and more education in general. The Facebook post elicited a range of responses, demonstrating differing perspectives on the issues raised by the striking employees.
The employees at the Wing Luke Museum remain in solidarity with the strike, expressing concerns about the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism in the exhibit and the lack of representation of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities facing violence and demonization. The strike consists of a mix of full-time and part-time staff members, with the most vulnerable employees participating in the walkout. The protesters are calling for a reevaluation of the exhibit content and for a more inclusive representation of diverse perspectives affected by hate and violence. The striking employees are continuing their efforts to raise awareness and seek a resolution on these issues.
The museum’s response to the strikes has been described as respectful, with an acknowledgment of the staff’s right to express their beliefs and personal truths. The museum is committed to engaging in a dialogue and listening to multiple perspectives in order to find a way forward together. The Wing Luke Museum has been supportive of the striking employees, allowing space for their voices to be heard and considered. The situation has sparked discussions about differing opinions and the importance of respectful dialogue and education around contentious issues such as antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and hate towards various communities. The museum and its staff are working towards finding a mutual understanding and resolution in response to the protests and demands made by the striking employees.
