American rapper Dajua Blanding, widely recognized by her stage name Dank DeMoss, has initiated legal action against the ride-hailing company Lyft, alleging weight discrimination. The lawsuit stems from an incident where a driver refused to provide her with service, explicitly citing her size as the reason for the refusal.
DeMoss, who weighs 489 pounds and hails from Detroit, expressed her feelings of humiliation following the event. She documented the incident using her cellphone and subsequently shared the footage on TikTok, aiming to raise awareness about the discrimination she faced. In an interview with CBS News, she recounted her experience, stating, “I was hurt and embarrassed. I have been in that same type of car many times and never had an issue. This was someone who was discriminating against me just because of my weight.”
The legal representatives for DeMoss argue that the driver’s actions are in direct violation of Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws, which explicitly recognize weight as a protected characteristic. This aspect of the law is designed to prevent discrimination based on physical appearance, including body weight, ensuring that individuals are treated fairly regardless of their size.
In response to the allegations, Lyft issued a written statement asserting that the company does not tolerate any form of discrimination within its services. They emphasized their commitment to inclusivity by stating that their “community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.” Lyft’s stance highlights their intention to create a safe and respectful environment for all users of their platform.
This case has sparked a broader discussion about weight discrimination and the treatment of individuals based on their body size, prompting many to reflect on the societal implications of such biases in everyday situations, including ride-hailing services.
