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Perhaps you haven't committed the crime of living in a poor neighborhood or looking like a minority.

Aren't most taxi drivers [in NYC] from "minority" populations? Do they really discriminate in this way?

Yes, some the most racist taxi drivers I have encountered were minorities with prejudices against other minorities. Everyone is afraid to call a minority a bigot so this behavior tends to be unchecked compared to when a white guy does it.

That's a good point. I've lived in poor neighborhoods but I'm not a minority.

Try getting a cab in Manhattan at peak times, or during shift change (6pm-ish?). Technically they have to take you by law but even if you get in and refuse to move they will sit there until you are forced to get out.

It got to the point I was getting turned down more than accepted for rides from Manhattan to Brooklyn so now I just use ride share by default.

(For reference, I'm white so it's not a problem of being a minority. I do live pretty deep in Brooklyn in a "bad" neighborhood though - maybe getting a ride to Williamsburg etc is easier)

Many times, yes.