January 29th 2025.
A rapper from Detroit, Dajua Blanding, who also goes by the name Dank Demoss, has recently filed a lawsuit against the ride-sharing company Lyft. This came after she was denied a ride by one of their drivers due to her weight. Blanding was on her way to a Detroit Lions watch party when she encountered what she believes to be weight discrimination. The whole incident was recorded by Blanding and the footage was later shared by The Neighborhood Talk on their Instagram page.
According to Blanding, as her Lyft driver arrived to pick her up, he made faces at her and told her she couldn't get in because of her size. Despite Blanding's assurance that she could fit in the driver's Black Mercedes sedan, he refused to let her in, claiming that it would stress out his tires. In the original video, he can be heard saying, "Believe me, you can't. I've got no space because my car is small." He even suggested that Blanding should order a bigger car instead.
Feeling embarrassed and humiliated, Blanding was offered a refund for her ride and was advised to call an Uber XL, which is typically used for larger groups. She described the whole ordeal as a "slap in the face". However, she has now taken legal action against Lyft for the alleged discrimination. Her lawyers argue that weight is a protected characteristic under Michigan law and denying someone a ride based on it is considered illegal.
In an interview with Fox 2, Blanding mentioned that she has been in smaller cars before and that the whole incident left her feeling hurt. Lyft has since responded to the matter, stating that they "unequivocally condemn" any form of discrimination. However, their policy does state that drivers can refuse a ride if they feel there may be potential security risks. Blanding's lawyers argue that in this case, the driver violated the law by discriminating against a protected characteristic.
In a statement, Lyft wrote, "We believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination." This incident has sparked a conversation about discrimination, not only in the ride-sharing industry but also in society as a whole. Blanding's story has shed light on the importance of treating everyone with respect and not discriminating based on physical appearance.
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