Smiley Sharing Editorial: A Rebuttal, Tess Holliday and Her Uber Boycott

Editorial Written By: Rebecca L. Oaks

Smiley Sharing Editorial: Tess Holliday, In Her Own Words

Read Here: Tess Holiday Original Instagram Post  

tesshollidayHey @uber I don’t pay more to use your “black car” service to be told that there’s no way I could possibly be healthy because I’m fat & then questioning it. No one should have to tolerate this at any level of the services you offer. I’m fat. I also have a fat wallet & will no longer be using your services. Ever. Also after I told him I was healthy he turned the radio off & changed the subject. #putmymoneywheremymouthis#uberdriver #uber
Edited to add: saying my driver is fat was obviously being used as a descriptor & not to insult him. Also I did not show his face or use his name when filming, it was to be able to show what I deal with daily & why this behavior is unacceptable from anyone.

Read Here: Tess Holliday Official Facebook Post

Read Huffington Post’s Article: Plus-Size Model Tess Holliday Vows To Boycott Uber After Being Fat-Shamed 

Smiley Sharing Editorial: An Understanding and Rebuttal

Uber has been enduring an ongoing dogpile of scandal and shame as questionable leadership choices, shifting management, bad drivers, and bad passengers have tainted the experience for everyone. Just when it seems like Uber is going to recover, something else comes along to set back the progress they have made.

Smiley Sharing Editorial: The Driver’s Behavior was UNACCEPTABLE!

What happened to Tess Holliday was UNACCEPTABLE. The driver was incredibly inappropriate with her, and I don’t blame her one bit for being angry. As a fat woman myself, I have been subjected to the full litany of concern trolling from people who find my Existing While Fat extremely offensive. When I was Mrs. Holliday’s age, my cholesterol, lipids, blood counts, metabolic panels, blood pressure, and other health tests always came out normal, which surprised the people on my healthcare team, because I was considered “morbidly obese” even then. I seriously doubt that a driver like that would accept the notion that a woman can be fat and fit at the same time even if Mrs. Holliday produced her medical records and highlighted the labs and blood pressure readings for him. Heck, he probably wouldn’t believe her if her doctor was riding with her.

Smiley Sharing Editorial: However, I Disagree….

However, I disagree with her choice to boycott Uber over one bad experience with one unprofessional driver. Uber is generally proactive about getting rid of problem drivers, especially when celebrities are involved. Unless Uber has been supplying Mrs. Holliday with an endless supply of concern troll drivers in spite of her complaints, her boycott of them seems like an overreaction to one isolated incident.

Maybe it’s just a St. Louis thing, but the Uber drivers I’ve encountered here are generally professional, courteous, and avoid discussing potentially inflammatory topics such as religion, politics, and the personal health of the passengers. Their kindness and professionalism have actually encouraged me to get out of the house more.

Tess Holliday, if you’re reading this and what happened to you with this Uber Black driver was the first and only time something like this happened, please give Uber another chance. The bulk of the drivers out there are good, hardworking people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds who will give you the five-star service you deserve. Again, I’m sorry for what you went through. Please don’t punish all Uber drivers for the actions of one unprofessional jerk.

–Rebecca L. Oaks

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