Last Updated:
The Detroit-based musician has filed a lawsuit against the cab driver’s employer Lyft, over “unfair treatment”. The rideshare company later issued a statement saying it “condemns all forms of discrimination”
Dajua Blanding, whose stage name is Dank Demoss, is seen here with her lawyers Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan. (Image: @dankdemoss/Instagram)
A Detroit-based rapper, who was denied service by a cab driver due to weight concerns, is now suing the rideshare company over “unfair treatment”. Dajua Blanding aka Dank Demoss, who weighs 220 kg, shot a video of her interaction with the Lyft driver and claimed that she had never been refused entry into cabs before because of her size.
The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking a debate on the internet on how society treats plus-sized individuals, discrimination, body image issues, and personal rights. Many on the internet supported the cab driver for refusing Demoss a booked ride, saying it would have been “unsafe” and “hazardous”.
There are unverified reports of the cab driver’s dismissal, but Lyft issued a statement saying it “condemns all forms of discrimination”. “Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination – 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,” a spokesperson for the company said, without commenting on the lawsuit.
WHAT HAPPENED TO DANK DEMOSS?
According to a report in Fox News Detroit, Blanding requested a ride to a Detroit Lions watch party earlier this month. She recounted her ordeal in a TikTok video, explaining how she was told that the car would not be able to accommodate her due to her weight. The driver allegedly told her the car tyres could not handle her weight.
In a follow-up Instagram post, she shared a video showing her attempting to convince the driver she could fit into the car. Despite her assurances, the driver refused her entry citing space limitations.
“I am sorry. I got no space at all, my car is small,” he is heard saying in the video. When the musician continued to argue, he suggested she should book an Uber XL instead, to which she responded that she has never had to do so in the past.
“I can fit in this car,” she can be heard saying, to which he responded, “Believe me, you can’t.”
In the caption of her video, she expressed her anger writing: “AM I WRONG? Lyft what have you all got to say about this driver (who) discriminated against me? I just feel like you all treat big people like s***. Like we don’t belong here.”
WHAT IS THE LAWSUIT?
Fox News Detroit said Demoss has now filed a lawsuit against Lyft, claiming she was unfairly treated. It highlights the emotional distress and humiliation she experienced due to the incident.
“I’ve been in cars smaller than that,” she told the channel in an interview. “I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.”
Blanding is being represented by attorneys Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan to sue for discrimination. They said weight is a “protected characteristic” in Michigan. “I knew that it was illegal, and I knew that it was wrong,” Marko told Fox News Detroitadding that denying someone a ride based on their weight would be the same as “denying someone because of their race or religion – at least under the law”.
But, he said, Lyft drivers can turn down passengers for perceived security threats, but that does not mean they can deny a ride based on “protected characteristics”.
WHAT IS THE INTERNET SAYING?
A number of internet users defended the cab driver and said, as per personal rights, he was right to refuse the ride to Blanding. While the driver has not been identified, the news of his dismissal is doing the rounds on social media.
Public sentiment seemed to be largely in favour of the driver on platforms like X and Instagram. Many pointed out that he was simply protecting his car, while the woman faced a barrage of negative comments under her videos on TikTok and Instagram.
One person wrote: “I love you girl but suspensions are expensive.” Another person, who claimed to be from the “plus-sized community” also lambasted her saying there were bigger issues among them like high blood pressure and diabetes.
“So friend you mad because someone wasn’t comfortable with you getting in their car? I’m big too and I know some cars I have no business in. That car was already low to the floor. He also was very respectful and didn’t try to humiliate you.! All you had to do was let him cancel and send you another one… Standing for your community???? We have bigger issues in our community like high blood pressure and diabetes,” the person wrote on Instagram.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
Source link
[ad_3]
