A Detroit rapper has taken a stand—and hit the headlines—for an incident that began as a simple Lyft ride and escalated into a high-stakes legal matter with implications for civil rights in Michigan and beyond. Performing under the name Dank Demoss, Dajua Blanding, 36, ordered a Lyft earlier this month. When the driver—a man in a Mercedes sedan—arrived, he locked the car doors and abruptly canceled the ride, insisting she was “too big” to fit and that her weight might even “burst his tires.”
Blanding captured the chilling interaction on video, telling the driver, “I’ve been in cars smaller than that.” The footage quickly went viral, igniting fierce debate. Some observers defended the driver, suggesting that Blanding should have booked a larger vehicle like Lyft XL or that drivers have the right to decline rides if they feel unsafe. But Blanding’s legal team argues that More than discomfort—this was illegal discrimination, unchecked under Michigan law. Michigan’s Unique Legal Protections
Unlike nearly every other state, Michigan’s Elliott–Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) explicitly lists weight and height among protected characteristics—alongside race, religion, age, sex, and more. Since taking effect in 1977, ELCRA has made it unlawful to discriminate against individuals in employment, housing, or public spaces based on their weight or height
Wikipedia This legal framework gives Blanding a strong position: refusing her service on purely weight-based grounds is treated on par with denying someone based on race or gender. The Human Toll. Beyond legal technicalities, this incident caused real emotional harm. Blanding said she felt humiliated and stranded—consequences that go well beyond a canceled ride. Her attorneys, Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan, have demanded damages and emotional redress, arguing such refusals aren’t just offensive—they’re dangerous. Runyan emphasized that predictively denying someone transit based on size can escalate into life-threatening situations. The Michigan Chronicle.
WDIV Lyft’s Response. Lyft responded with a statement condemning all forms of discrimination and reaffirming its community guidelines that demand respect for all riders. WDIV. San Francisco Chronicle. However, the company also noted that drivers are independent contractors—not employees—a legal nuance that may significantly impact liability.
A Broader Movement. Blanding’s case isn’t isolated. Weight stigma affects countless individuals—but legal protections like Michigan’s remain rare. One Harvard review found that Michigan is still the only state that explicitly protects against body-size discrimination
content.sph.harvard.edu. TIME In contrast, other regions have local ordinances. For example, cities like San Francisco and New York City ban weight discrimination, but the protection isn’t statewideue.org. Fueling Dialogue Across Communities
The incident reignites a broader conversation: How do we balance driver discretion with rider rights? At what point does concern for vehicle safety become a shield for bias? Organizations like Being That Girl, committed to fostering confidence and self-love in women, underscore the emotional fallout. As one representative said, “This isn’t just about getting to your destination—it’s about being seen and respected as a whole person.” What Lies Ahead. Blanding has filed her suit in Wayne County Circuit Court seeking damages and accountability under Michigan law The Michigan Chronicle
People.com. Her case may test the boundaries of public accommodation laws, redefine rideshare policies, and challenge how society confronts deeply ingrained weight biases. Will Lyft be required to train drivers more thoroughly? Could this case inspire other states to adopt similar protections? For now, Dank Demoss’s courage in capturing and refusing to let the moment go viral has sparked a vital legal and social reckoning—one ride at a time.
