A Cuban Uber driver was targeted with racist and xenophobic insults by two passengers who, upon discovering that he did not speak English, started to berate him inside the vehicle.
According to what is observed in the videos posted on TikTok by the wife of the driver residing in Texas, early Saturday morning, after enduring several minutes of verbal assaults, the driver called the police and ordered them to get out of the car.
According to the testimony and phrases collected from the video clips recorded by the car's security camera, one of the passengers—speaking in English—asked if he spoke English and then questioned him about his origin (“Where are you from?: From Cuba”).
It was then that the American unleashed a barrage of insults.
Why are all Cubans using Uber? "No one understands English, everyone speaks Spanish," “They shouldn't be on the road if they don't know our language; they can't read our signs," said the man, who was accompanied by his wife and daughter.
In the midst of foul language, he insisted that the driver "shouldn't be here." The driver, on the other hand, did not respond to the insults and remained silent while listening to all the offenses.
The driver's family responded in a message circulated after the incident: "Do you have to be bilingual in America? I didn't know that (...) We entered legally and no one required us to master two languages."
They emphasized that not everyone has the same opportunities to learn English and that nothing justifies offense or discrimination.
They also recalled that Uber allows users to specify their preferred language in the driver's profile and that, in this case, it shows Spanish: “If you want an Uber that speaks English, request it from the beginning.”
The family asserted their legal entry, rejected xenophobia, and pointed to Uber's language tool as an alternative for users.
The language, a pretext?
From the profile of Mamadeazel, the wife of the host, dozens of people commented in support of the customer's stance: "I don't see racism, the people are right, he needs to know English."
Nonetheless, the majority agreed that this is a case of discrimination that has no justification.
The case illustrates how llanguage barriers are used as an excuse for racist aggressions, and reignites the discussion about treatment and respect in transportation services.
The driver endured the situation until he set a limit and went to the police, while his family urges not to normalize discrimination and to take advantage of the language options that the platform offers.
Racist attacks on Cubans
A similar case occurred in May in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, when a young Cuban working as an Uber driver was the victim of a violent attack allegedly motivated by racial reasons, inside his own vehicle.
The victim, Osvaldo Rivera, reported that he picked up the passenger in the Providence Road area. "When he got into the car, he was drunk," Rivera said. "I could see he was drunk."
The man started asking questions about his origin and why he was in the United States. "That surprised me because no one ever asks me that question," he added.
Unexpectedly, the customer became aggressive, started shouting racist slurs and physically attacked him.
Frequently Asked Questions about Racist Attacks on Cuban Uber Drivers in the United States
What happened to the Cuban Uber driver in Texas?
The Cuban Uber driver in Texas was the victim of racist insults from two passengers who confronted him upon learning that he did not speak English. After enduring several minutes of verbal abuse, the driver called the police and ordered them to get out of the car. The driver's family defended his right to work and rejected xenophobia, stating that Uber allows users to select the preferred language in the driver's profile.
How did the driver's family react to the incident?
The driver's family issued a statement emphasizing that they legally entered the United States and that they were not required to be fluent in two languages. They condemned the offense and discrimination, reminding that Uber provides the option to indicate the preferred language in the driver's profile, in this case, Spanish.
Is it common for Cuban Uber drivers in the U.S. to experience racist attacks?
Incidents of racism against Cuban Uber drivers are not isolated. Previous cases, such as that of Osvaldo Rivera in North Carolina, demonstrate that xenophobia and racism are ongoing issues. Rivera was physically assaulted by a passenger who attacked him upon discovering his Cuban heritage, highlighting the vulnerability these workers face.
What measures can Uber drivers take to protect themselves from dangerous situations?
Uber drivers can take certain precautions to enhance their safety, such as installing security cameras in the vehicle, using plexiglass dividers, and always maintaining a safe distance from passengers. At the first sign of danger, it is advisable to stop the vehicle and contact the police to avoid risky situations.
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