Former Houston appointee sparks outrage with claim of whites-only camp
- A former Houston city board member, Sade Perkins, sparked controversy by alleging that Camp Mystic is a whites-only camp.
- Her remarks came in the wake of a tragic flooding incident that resulted in multiple fatalities and missing campers.
- Perkins faced swift backlash from city officials, and her comments were deemed inappropriate amid the ongoing recovery efforts.
In early July 2025, a devastating flood occurred in Hunt, Texas, causing significant destruction at Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls. This catastrophic event has resulted in numerous fatalities, including 27 campers and counselors confirmed deceased, with at least 10 campers still missing. Amidst the tragedy, Sade Perkins, a former member of the Houston Food Insecurity Board, faced intense backlash for a TikTok video she posted, where she alleged that the camp operates as a whites-only, conservative Christian establishment. In her video, Perkins argued that there is a deliberate exclusion of people of color from the camp. Perkins's video, which was uploaded shortly after the flood, included inflammatory comments suggesting that the media coverage of the missing campers was disproportionate to similar incidents involving Hispanic individuals. She accused the camp of racial segregation, claiming that it lacks even token representation of Asian or Black individuals, stating, "If you ain't White, you ain't right." Perkins criticized the public's empathy for the victims of the flood, suggesting that there is an agenda behind raising awareness and soliciting assistance for those affected while ignoring broader systemic issues such as family deportations. The fallout from Perkins's remarks was swift. Houston Mayor John Whitmire's office denounced her comments as "deeply inappropriate" and issued a statement emphasizing that her views do not reflect the values of the city or its leadership. Following the backlash, her non-reappointment to the Houston Food Insecurity Board was confirmed, as officials moved to address concerns over her controversial statements. The mayor's spokesperson reiterated the need for a sensitive response during a time of grief for the families affected by the flood. As the community strives to come together and search for the missing individuals, Perkins has raised unsettling questions about racial dynamics and representation, especially in light of the camp's historical context. While her comments have been condemned, they have also sparked a larger conversation about social justice and equity in response to tragedies like the recent flooding disaster. It remains crucial for community leaders to acknowledge and address these complex issues as they work on recovery efforts following the flood's impact.