How Watermelon Cupcakes Sparked an Internal Storm at Meta

In late May, Meta invited its New York staff to a "summery showcase" event to learn about various clubs across the company. The promotional poster for this event featured colorful slushies and watermelon desserts, creating a festive atmosphere. However, a dispute arose when a club for Muslim workers proposed using $200 of company funds to serve nine dozen cupcakes decorated in watermelon colors. Meta management deemed the offering disruptive and suggested the group opt for "traditional Muslim sweets" instead. They specifically instructed that "watermelon references or imagery should not be included as part of materials or giveaways," reflecting concerns over the symbolic use of watermelon in the context of Palestinian resistance.

The disagreement over the cupcakes, described by employees and shared on social media, highlights the deep divisions within the tech industry exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. For decades, watermelon has symbolized Palestinian resistance due to its colors matching the Palestinian flag, and its use has become more pronounced since the latest fighting began in October.

Meta's stance was that the proposed cupcakes violated its policy against workplace discussions about war or statehood. Ironically, on the day of the event, Meta's New York cafeteria served fresh watermelon slices, a common offering. Eventually, the Muslim workers served green cupcakes with pink frosting and black pearl toppings, which did not resemble watermelons closely.

Saima Akhter, a data scientist at Meta involved in the cupcake proposal, expressed her frustration on Instagram, criticizing the internal censorship at Meta. She highlighted the broader implications of such censorship on the company's ability to moderate content fairly on its platforms. Meta fired Akhter two weeks later, citing her possession of a 47-page internal document detailing alleged biased treatment of Palestine-related content. This document outlined issues like unaddressed translation errors, AI-generated WhatsApp stickers portraying Palestinians negatively, and discrepancies in Meta's responses to different global conflicts.

Meta did not comment on Akhter's termination. However, a company-wide message from Meta's chief diversity officer, Maxine Williams, emphasized the company's decision to limit discussions on topics historically disruptive to the workplace, including war and statehood. Williams acknowledged the importance of personal expression but stated that Meta prioritizes maintaining a productive environment.

The incident at Meta reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where Muslim and Arab workers feel unsupported and believe that this lack of support translates into biased product decisions that harm users. These workers argue that Meta's internal policies stifle important discussions and perpetuate discrimination. Similar tensions have been reported at other tech companies, with employees feeling that their concerns are not being addressed adequately.

For instance, Ferras Hamad, a machine learning engineer of Palestinian descent, was fired by Meta after investigating whether an algorithm incorrectly labeled content from Palestinian photojournalist Motaz Azaiza as pornographic. Hamad sued Meta for wrongful termination, asserting that his dismissal was unjust and retaliatory.

The internal conflicts at Meta have led to organized efforts by employees to push for changes. The Palestinian Working Group (PWG), a forum of over 200 staff members, has been advocating for fair treatment of Palestinian content on Meta's platforms. Despite organizing internal letters and garnering significant support, these efforts have often been met with resistance from Meta's management, leading to actions like disabling system access for organizers. Former employees and researchers argue that tech companies like Meta need to shift their focus from risk mitigation to fostering inclusive and supportive environments for their employees. They contend that silencing employees who raise concerns is counterproductive and that open, honest discussions are essential for building lasting peace and inclusivity.

Tensions within Meta have been brewing for years, as highlighted by a 2022 human rights report commissioned by the company, which identified biases affecting Palestinian users' freedom of expression. These issues have led to resignations, accusations of systemic censorship by organizations like Human Rights Watch, and ongoing frustration among employees who feel that their concerns are being ignored.

In response to these challenges, employees have continued to advocate for changes. A public demand letter on Metamates4ceasefire.com, signed by over 200 current and former Meta workers, calls for acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, ensuring a safe and supportive workplace, and advocating for a permanent ceasefire. Despite these efforts, many employees remain skeptical about the possibility of meaningful change within the company.

Recent internal incidents at Meta, such as the removal of a post commemorating International Nakba Day while similar posts for other commemorations remained up, have further fueled frustrations. Employees have filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, challenging the enforcement of Meta's policies.

Overall, the situation at Meta underscores the challenges tech companies face in balancing free expression, inclusivity, and maintaining a productive workplace. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has brought these issues to the forefront, prompting calls for tech companies to reassess their internal policies and practices to better support their diverse workforces and address the concerns of marginalized groups.