A Detroit-based rapper has taken legal action against ride-sharing company Lyft after claiming a driver refused to pick her up, stating she “couldn’t fit in the car.” The incident has since gained widespread attention online, sparking a debate about discrimination in the transportation industry.
The Incident
Dajua Blanding, known professionally as Dank Demoss, shared her experience on social media, posting a video of the encounter. The footage shows a Lyft driver in a Mercedes Benz sedan expressing concern about whether she would fit in the back seat.
“I got no space at all, my car is small,” the driver can be heard saying in the video.
In response, Blanding insists, “I can fit in this car.”
However, the driver reiterates his position, telling her: “No, believe me, you can’t, so… I’m sorry.”
The Driver’s Justification
Blanding then asks about the payment she made for the ride, to which the driver explains that he will cancel the trip, ensuring she receives a refund. When she directly asks if his refusal is due to her size, he confirms: “Yeah, you need to order a bigger car.”
The driver also makes a peculiar remark about his vehicle, claiming that his tires are “very tired,” suggesting another reason why he could not complete the ride.
Blanding, confused, questions: “What I got to do with your tires?”
Legal Action and Public Reaction
Following the incident, Blanding expressed her frustration on Instagram, tagging Lyft in her post and accusing the company of discrimination. She wrote:
“@lyft what y’all got to say about this? Y’all driver discriminated against me. I JUST FEEL LIKE YALL TREAT BIG PPLE LIKE S*** LIKE WE DONT BELONG HERE.”
In an interview with Fox 2 Detroit, Blanding revealed she had hired two attorneys and was moving forward with a lawsuit against Lyft, citing discrimination.
Michigan is the only state in the U.S. that has specific laws prohibiting weight discrimination, making her case particularly relevant.
Attorney’s Perspective
Jonathan Marko, one of Blanding’s attorneys, emphasized that this case is about more than just one ride—it’s about standing against discrimination.
“I knew that it was illegal and I knew that it was wrong,” Marko stated. “It would be no different than a driver pulling up and saying, ‘I don’t want to have Black people in my car’ or ‘I don’t want to have Christians in my car.’ Under the law, it’s the same.”
Blanding also spoke about how the situation made her feel, stating, “I’ve been in cars smaller than that. I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.”
Lyft’s Response
Lyft has since addressed the controversy, issuing a statement to Fox 2 Detroit reaffirming its stance against discrimination.
“We unequivocally condemn all forms of discrimination,” the company stated. “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.”
While Lyft maintains that discrimination is not tolerated on its platform, this case raises questions about how drivers make decisions regarding passengers and whether personal biases influence their actions.
The Ongoing Debate
This case has ignited discussions about inclusivity and fairness in ride-sharing services. Some social media users have expressed support for Blanding, arguing that refusing a passenger based on size is discriminatory. Others have defended the driver, suggesting that vehicle space constraints might have been a legitimate concern.
Industry experts note that ride-sharing services are meant to provide equal access to transportation for all individuals. However, they also acknowledge that there can be logistical challenges regarding vehicle size and passenger comfort.
As the legal proceedings unfold, this case could have broader implications for ride-sharing policies and how companies handle cases of alleged discrimination.
For now, Blanding remains determined to hold Lyft accountable for what she perceives as unjust treatment, hoping her lawsuit will bring awareness to the challenges faced by plus-size individuals when using public and private transportation services.
Moving Forward
Blanding’s case highlights the complexities surrounding discrimination laws and customer service policies. While Lyft has reaffirmed its commitment to equal treatment, the lawsuit could push the company to examine how drivers handle size-related concerns and whether additional training or policies are necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the discussion continues, one thing is clear—this case has sparked a larger conversation about body inclusivity and equal access to transportation, shedding light on an issue that many believe deserves more attention.