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Lyft Founder Brags About Being More ‘Woke’ Than Uber

(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Lyft)

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Eric Lieberman Managing Editor
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The cofounder of Lyft, the ride-sharing little brother to Uber, says his company is more “woke” than its primary competitor.

“We’re woke. Our community is woke, and the U.S. population is woke,” Lyft President John Zimmer told TIME in an exclusive interview.

“Woke” reportedly originated as a social media term popularized by the black community, specifically relating to their awareness of apparent police brutality against minorities. But like a lot of slang used on the internet, the word (and the phrase “stay woke”) has transformed itself into a viral phenomenon, with everyone using it both seriously and jokingly.

Zimmer’s use of “woke” is in response to all of the many embarrassments and debacles Uber has suffered in recent months, which presumably leaves a larger opening for his own company. (RELATED: ‘I Can No Longer Continue’: Uber President Quits Amid Litany Of Scandals)

“There’s an awakening … Our vote matters, our choice matters, the seat we take matters,” Zimmer said, according to TIME. “We’re not the nice guys. We’re a better boyfriend.” (RELATED: Lyft President: In 10 Years No One Will Own A Car In A City)

Lyft was reportedly seeking $500 million in funding in early March after rival Uber first started to become entangled in its own scandals.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey wore a shirt that said “#staywoke” in June while talking with a Black Lives Matter activist. Many criticized Dorsey’s choice to wear the apparel, with some calling it “incredibly embarrassing.”

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