Detroit rapper Dank Demoss, whose real name is Dajua Blanding, settled a case with ride-share service Lyft after a driver reportedly denied her a ride because of her size. Blanding sued the company for discrimination in January after a Lyft driver in Michigan reportedly told her she was “too big for his car” and could “burst his tyres.” The driver, in the video Blanding captured, told her that she should take a bigger, pricier vehicle like an Uber XL and that he would pay back her existing Lyft fee. According to reports, Blanding said to him, “I can fit in this car,” but he replied, “Believe me, you can’t.”
Dank Demoss Sues Lyft
Blanding’s lawyers, attorneys Zach Runyan and Jonathan Marko, made the argument that the driver’s rejection was illegal discrimination since weight is a protected characteristic under Michigan law. Marko made a comparison, saying the refusal was “no different than denying a person transportation because of their race or religion.” Runyan highlighted the risk involved in the situation, pointing out, “Denying a person transportation due to their weight is not only illegal, but risky. Consider the implications if Ms. Blanding could not find refuge after the driver dropped her off.”
The accident left Blanding with emotional trauma, according to her, as she said, “I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.” She continued, “I’ve been in cars smaller than that.” Earlier this month, attorney Runyan acknowledged the suit against Lyft had been settled but refused to provide more information regarding the settlement.
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Public Reaction to the Incident
The rapper, who has openly discussed that she once weighed more than 500 pounds and had been shedding weight, posted the video of the altercation on social media. The altercation created a heated public discourse. While most defended Blanding, others came to the defence of the driver. Others called Blanding out for not taking the advice to get a bigger vehicle and mentioned that it is illegal to overload a car. Another commenter said, “He wasn’t rude to her when he said he couldn’t take her. He was simply honest about why he couldn’t transport her in his vehicle.“
The resolution puts to bed the case of legal action instituted against Lyft after the controversy over the right to ride irrespective of one’s size.
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