Racist Gojek Driver Called Out For Using Racist Slur To Indian Customer
Gojek lands in hot soup again as a video of a Gojek driver mocking an Indian customer with “dei, dei, dei” went viral on 11 January.
Source: Instagram, wakeupsingapore
In a post uploaded on wakeupsingapore’s Instagram page, the driver, Dennis, could clearly be heard mocking the Indian customer, decibels_ilu, who was simply asking for his location.
Source: Instagram, wakeupsingapore
According to a series of IG story posts, decibels_ilu mentioned that his friend, Stephanie, booked a ride back home. However, Dennis updated his status on the app as “arrived” when he wasn’t at the right location yet.
When they called him, Dennis mentioned that he was waiting at the main road. But upon reaching there, the driver wasn’t there.
This is when things got heated and the only retort Dennis could afford was by being racist as he went “dei, dei, dei” towards decibels_ilu.
Throughout the whole exchange, Dennis could be heard mocking the man in an exaggerated Tamil accent, drowning out his calm responses to the misunderstanding.
Netizens were visibly disgusted by Dennis’s behaviour and called on Gojek to take responsibility for their driver.
Others mentioned that the casual racism against minority races needs to stop especially when our country is built upon respect for diversity.
According to decibels_ilu, Gojek responded to him and it took some time before Dennis agreed to apologize for his behavior. The only punishment that decibels_ilu was aware of were the 3 demerit points that was given to Dennis.
Gojek also responded on wakeupsingapore’s Instagram page, stressing that they do not tolerate such behavior from their drivers.
This isn’t the first time a PHV driver was called out for racist behaviour. Last year, a driver made the headlines when he forbade a Malay passenger from listening to prayers in his car.
While many are understandably calling for a boycott of Gojek services, it is unfair for the other drivers who have been exemplary.
The truth is that there will always be those who are bigoted and they’re magnified because this is the age of social media. The purpose of highlighting such behavior is correction, not punishment.
Reporter’s Opinions: My only racist encounter with a Gojek driver was this auntie who didn’t believe my race when I told her. It was when I let it slip that I have Chinese blood in me was when she clapped her hands and said,
“There you go, that’s why you’re fair. Indians don’t have your skin. Mixed children should be poster children for Singapore. Because we are a melting pot.”
So by that logic, does it mean good mixed children must have some Chinese blood?
The grumpy uncles are normal, the chatty ones are sometimes irritating, the casually racist one like the aunty above exist. Not saying that the casually racist people aren’t an issue but that is borne out of habit and years of conditioning. It will take time but they are usually slightly more open to understanding where they went wrong. The outright racist ones, now that’s a problem, it is inviting unnecessary tension that may end up in violence.
And what are you, fucking 5 years old? That’s the kind of mocking a child in primary school resorts to when they’re losing an argument. 3 demerit points is too little for a childish asshole like you.
I have to give it to the Indian guy for staying calm throughout even when Dennis was asking for it.
One of these days, you won’t be so lucky and you may just find yourself with a bruise across your face.
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