Uber
Uber Technologies, Inc., commonly known as Uber, is an American company that offers vehicles for hire, food delivery (Uber Eats), package delivery, couriers, freight transportation, and, through a partnership with Lime, electric bicycle and motorized scooter rental. The company is based in San Francisco and has operations in over 900 metropolitan areas worldwide. It is one of the largest providers in the gig economy and is also a pioneer in the development of self-driving cars.[1]
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“If you tolerate racism, delete Uber” campaign
Uber partnered with Wieden+Kennedy on an integrated racial injustice campaign that pulls no punches: “If you tolerate racism, delete Uber.” They released the campaign to mark the occasion of 57th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Uber is delivering that message across social media, in emails, app notifications. It also features on billboards appearing in 13 major U.S. cities in support of the thousands gathering in the nation’s capital to commemorate the March on Washington or planning their own marches across the country. The outdoor signs also state, “Black people have the right to move without fear.”[2]
Controversy
Ride-hailing drivers and supporters gathered in Oakland, Calif, calling the company hypocritical as it fights a California ballot measure that would require it to classify drivers as employees.
Organizers of the protest said the company’s billboard campaign is “disingenuous” because the company refuses to provide benefits to drivers, who are disproportionately immigrants and minorities. They cited at least one study, by the UC Santa Cruz Institute for Social Transformation and some advocacy group partners, that showed 78% of drivers in San Francisco are “people of color.” Another survey, by UnidosUS, found that 40% of Latinos around the nation had done some kind of gig work.[3]
Uber's commitment on Anti-racism
As mentioned on Uber's website, as a company that powers movement, their goal is to ensure that everyone can move freely and safely. To do that, we must fight racism and be a champion for equity—both inside and outside the company.
They are using their global reach, technology, and data to help create a safer, more inclusive company, and be a faithful ally to all the communities we serve. That’s why Uber making several long-term commitments to drive this work forward.[4]
The company plans to double Black representation in leadership – those with director titles or above - by 2025. Also by that target date, Uber will aim to double the talent pipeline by creating avenues for drivers, deliver people and customer support staff to pursue corporate opportunities with the brand. Uber is also pledging pay equity as well as training for all managers on inclusive management and cross-cultural competency. The company will also develop anti-racism and unconscious bias training for driving and riders, starting in the United States and Canada, and customer support agents will receive specialized training on bias and discrimination, as well. Additionally, Uber will invest $10 million to support Black-owned businesses, through promotions and other merchant support, over the next two years, and it will waive the Uber Eats delivery fee for Black-owned restaurants through 2020.[5]
References
- ↑ Uber. Retrieved on December 31, 2020.
- ↑ Liffreing, Ilyse (2020). BEST OF 2020 NO. 9: UBER TELLS RACISTS TO 'DELETE UBER'. Retrieved on December 31, 2020.
- ↑ Sumagaysay, Lavi (2020). Protesters call Uber’s antiracism billboards ‘hypocritical and offensive’. Retrieved on December 31, 2020.
- ↑ Uber. If you tolerate racism, delete Uber. Retrieved on December 31, 2020.
- ↑ Menze, Jill (2020). Uber commits to being “anti-racist” company, pledges change in leadership and $10M for Black-owned businesses. Retrieved on December 31, 2020.

