The restaurateur planning to shut her Caribbean eatery in Morris, Man. after a number of reported racist incidents says she's a "survivor" and will move on.
Jamaican-born Thea Morris, who opened Thea's Diner in the Manitoba town this summer, said she's disappointed her business is closing, but has other means to support herself.
"I'm a multitasker and I always don't put all my eggs in one basket so I'll be okay," Morris told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday. "I'm a survivor."
Morris, who lives in Winnipeg, decided to close the Main Street, Morris restaurant after several incidents that culminated in her receiving an email referencing the Ku Klux Klan sent in response to an online ad for a job.
In the email, which she posted on Facebook Monday, the sender wrote: "You guys still chasing colors out of your towns out there? I believe the KKK has a chapter in south Dakota you should join."
The email was sent from kkk@morris.ca.
Morris says the email – one of several racist incidents she says she’s experienced since opening her diner – represented a "tipping point.”
"It was becoming very unhealthy physically and mentally," Morris said.
But despite having to close her restaurant, Morris says she has not lost faith in people and thanks everyone for their support.
"I just cannot believe the support I am getting from everyone," Morris wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday. "I have to say my faith is restored and thanks to everyone."
Morris also urged people not to jump to conclusions and to "remember not to blame everyone because then the ugly is sitting somewhere laughing their ugly heads."
She wrote, however, that the town should take a "different approach" instead of reacting in a defensive way about her decision to close her restaurant.
"The town are looking real bad because they are being defensive, an action that protects the ugly group. Instead they should take a different approach, perhaps one that will indicate such behavior and action is unaccepted."
Morris' restaurant is the fifth business at that location to close in the last four years.
The location was previously occupied by Pots N Hands, a business operated by two gay men.
Dave Claringbould and his partner decided to shutter their business in April, after they said they were the target of homophobic slurs.
Town Mayor Gavin Van Der Linde says the RCMP has been contacted and they are taking Morris' allegations seriously. But he says he doesn't believe anyone made discriminatory remarks.
With files from The Canadian Press
