US cab driver refuses ride to racist passengers in viral video. Internet calls him a hero
India Today
A Pennsylvania man is being held as a hero for calling out racist passengers who had booked a ride with him. The video is viral, obviously.
A Pennsylvania man is being held as a hero for calling out a racist man and woman. James W Bode, a Lyft driver, confronted two racist passengers who had booked a ride with him on Friday, May 13. The entire episode was captured on Bode’s dashcam.
In the now-viral video, a woman named Jackie can be seen boarding the cab after James arrived at the location outside Fossils Last Stand bar, Pennsylvania. After exchanging a few pleasantries with the cab driver, she said, “Wow, you’re like a white guy”. To this, James had a brow-raising expression. He said, “Excuse me?”. “You’re like, a normal guy? You speak English?” the woman responded and patted him on his shoulders.
James was not happy with the woman’s remarks and she asked her to leave the car immediately as he was going to cancel the ride. "That’s completely inappropriate. If somebody was not white, sitting in this seat, what would be the difference?” he said. The woman was completely shocked after what she heard. When she got a little perplexed, the man accompanying her intervened. He starts verbally abusing Bode and also threatens him with physical assault.
James Bode shared the video on Facebook on May 14 and it has received a lot of traction online since then. “This happened tonight outside of Fossils Last Stand, on Race St in Catasauqua. The ride was for a "Jackie"...When asked if they were the owners, she shook her head "yes" but who knows. There was a police report filed (only because of the assault threat) not sure if that will do anything...if you make me feel uncomfortable, I will absolutely do the same, especially in my car or property. Yes they were made aware I was recording, yes I have postings in my car indicating such (sic),” James wrote, sharing the video.
The Internet hailed the cab driver for standing up against the racist passengers. “In case anyone doesn't understand when people say "silence implies consent", this is a perfect example! Had he chosen to take the ride & remain silent, the racists would've assumed he was just like them. This is why we have to speak up every time. We can't allow any safe spaces (sic),” a user wrote in support of James.
In case anyone doesn't understand when people say "silence implies consent" this is perfect example! Had he chosen to take the ride & remain silent, the racists would've assumed he was just like them.This is why we have to speak up every time. We can't allow any safe spaces.
