Detroit Rapper Takes Legal Action Against Lyft After Alleged Weight Discrimination
A Detroit rapper is taking legal action against Lyft after a driver allegedly refused to pick her up because of her weight.
Dank DeMoss, whose real name is Dajua Blanding, is a vocal advocate for plus-size individuals. She captured the incident on her phone and uploaded it online, where it quickly went viral.
“I’ve been in that same type of car many times and never had an issue," Blanding told CBS News Detroit. “This was someone who was discriminating against me just because of my weight.”
According to her attorneys, the driver’s actions violated Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws, which explicitly protect individuals from weight-based discrimination.
A spokesperson for the ride-share company reaffirmed the company's stance against discrimination, stating, “Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination—we believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness.”
However, Blanding said, “I didn’t feel respect or kindness from that driver, but I’m glad my video is raising awareness.”
For the rapper and advocate, the incident is about more than just her personal experience. “If I hadn't stood up, who would?” she said, adding that she hopes her case sparks nationwide change. “My hope is that all 50 states would add weight as a protection for people.”