The owners of a company that rents kayaks at the Fort Worth Nature Center have apologized for Facebook posts that referred to white women, Jews and Mexicans.
The business, Fort Worth Kayak Adventures, was trying to explain why it recently had to double its rates but ended up offending many readers.
The company started one Facebook post by writing: “To all you broke-ass hateful know-it-all white women and Facebook trolls that think they are going to J** us down…”
The post went on to blame the city for requiring the business to buy expensive liability insurance and share ten percent of its profits.
After an online backlash, the owners deleted the most offensive parts but added this: “The price is set in stone so stop wasting your time. This is NOT Mexico.”
Hundreds of readers like Fort Worth teacher Reagan Bryant posted angry responses.
"I couldn't believe that someone would put their own personal views out there, let alone let it represent their business,” Bryant said. “It just floored me."
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In an interview with NBC 5, the owners apologized.
"We're truly, truly sorry for everything that was said,” said Lori Tenery, who runs the business with her husband and daughter. “We hope that you will find it in your hearts to forgive us and give us a chance again and make it right."
She said her husband is Jewish and had no intention of being anti-Semitic.
"We don't mean any harm,” Tenery said. “We're not racist. We're not prejudiced in any way."
Her daughter, Tiffany Tenery, 17, also apologized.
"I can understand completely why people are upset and I make a public apology to that,” she said. “The whole Mexico thing was referring to prices, not people.”
Despite the apology, Reagan Bryant says she won't be a customer anytime soon.
"It seems like it's a little too little too late,” she said.
In a statement, the city of Fort Worth noted the company is not a vendor but is allowed to use the city-owned nature center in exchange for sharing its profits.
“The city recognizes the concerns with recent statements on the FW Kayak Adventures social media accounts,” the statement said. “The city is reaching out to them to discuss this with them directly.
