Former Houston official criticized for calling flooded Texas camp ‘Whites-only’
A former member of the Houston Food Insecurity Board, Sade Perkins, recently faced backlash for making controversial statements about Camp Mystic, a Texas summer camp that was devastated by flooding. Perkins, who was appointed by former Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2023, posted a video on TikTok claiming that the camp was “White-only, conservative [and] Christian.”
In the video, Perkins alleged that Camp Mystic was a “Whites-only girls Christian camp” with no diversity. She stated, “They don’t even have a token Asian, they don’t have a Token Black person, it is an all-White, White-only conservative Christian camp.” Perkins further added, “If you ain’t White, you ain’t right. You ain’t getting in, you ain’t going, period.”
She also criticized the media coverage of the missing campers, suggesting that if they were Hispanic, the situation would not receive the same attention. Perkins expressed frustration with the sympathy and resources being directed towards finding the missing girls, highlighting other societal issues such as deportations and the treatment of minority communities.
Following the controversy, the office of Houston Mayor John Whitmire confirmed that Perkins would not be reappointed to the board. They described her comments as “deeply inappropriate” and stated that immediate steps would be taken to permanently remove her from her position.
The catastrophic flood at Camp Mystic has resulted in at least 80 confirmed deaths, with a significant number of them being children. As of Sunday, 10 campers from Camp Mystic remain missing. The tragedy has sparked a massive search effort and an outpouring of support from the community.
It is important to address issues of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society, including summer camps and other recreational facilities. Perkins’ comments serve as a reminder of the importance of promoting diversity and equity in all spaces.
The situation at Camp Mystic highlights the need for unity and support during times of crisis. As the community mourns the lives lost and continues the search for the missing campers, it is crucial to come together and provide assistance to those in need.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Camp Mystic underscores the ongoing challenges of race, diversity, and inclusion in society. It serves as a reminder that we must strive to create a more equitable and inclusive world for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.
