Detroit rapper Dank Demoss, whose real name is Dajua Blanding, is taking legal action against Lyft after she says a driver refused to let her in his car because of her weight. The incident happened on January 18, when Blanding ordered a ride to her cousin’s house. But when the driver arrived, she says he locked the doors, refused to let her in, and tried to drive away.
When she confronted him, he allegedly told her she was “too big” for the car and that she should order a larger vehicle instead. Blanding shared a video of the incident on social media, where it quickly went viral, racking up over 340,000 views on TikTok.
Why She’s Suing
Blanding claims that she was subjected to discrimination because to her size and has sued Lyft and the driver. John Marko, her lawyer, contends that discrimination on the basis of weight is no more legitimate than discrimination on the basis of race or religion, both of which are prohibited under Michigan law.
According to the lawsuit, Blanding endured unjust treatment and humiliation. She thinks the case will hold businesses like Lyft responsible for the conduct of their drivers and raise awareness of weight discrimination.
Lyft Responds
In response to the case, Lyft has stated that it does not accept any form of discrimination. “We believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness—Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination,” a company spokeswoman said in a statement.
Citing the ongoing legal processes, they declined to comment on the case’s specifics.
Internet Reactions
Many people support Blanding and are calling on ride-sharing companies to take greater steps to prevent discrimination in the online debate sparked by the incident. On the basis of worries about car capacity, some have questioned whether drivers should be permitted to refuse passengers.
A lot of people will be waiting to see how the case unfolds, regardless of its outcome, because it has brought weight discrimination into the national limelight.
