In a TikTok tirade that went viral faster than a summer camp roast marshmallow, former Houston board member Sade Perkins claims Camp Mystic is 'Whites-only,' and now she’s out of a job—much to the mayor's relief.

Despite the ongoing flood crisis and tragic reports of missing campers, Perkins took to social media to stir the pot with her incendiary remarks about the camp’s lack of diversity. Her assessment not only cost her a board position, but also put the spotlight on Camp Mystic, a conservative Christian camp celebrating its centenary, while raising questions about media bias and the prioritization of aid during a disaster—a campfire worth roasting marshmallows over, if only for the irony.

According to Perkins, the camp does not have any representatives of Asian or Black individuals, which, as she emphasizes, is striking in today's world. Observers might say that in the age of inclusion, having a camp that seems to be operating on a strict color code is a tad behind the times, akin to using a rotary phone in the era of smartphones. Perkins is clearly ruffling some feathers, revealing a hidden layer of exclusivity that many modern camps would prefer to gloss over.

While the flood waters rose to unprecedented levels and at least 80 confirmed deaths were reported, Perkins decided that the lack of media coverage for missing campers was indicative of deeper societal issues. She speculated that if the victims were Hispanic girls, they would not receive the same levels of sympathy and resources to aid in recovery, suggesting a disparity in who swims in the lifeboats during major crises. It’s as if she believes the news cycle has a specific algorithm designed to code the perceived value of lives—something that surely must keep editors awake at night.

Perkins' comments have ignited a wave of reactions across social media platforms, with many expressing varying shades of astonishment. The Houston Mayor’s office has taken the controversial bull by the horns, confirming that Perkins would not be reappointed to her previous board position, presumably in an effort to prevent her from rocking the boat again. The decision, while predictable, raised eyebrows over what Perkins expected when she flipped the camp's privilege switch to 'on' during a humanitarian tragedy.

Having anticipated backlash for her comments, Perkins remains undeterred, stating that her intention was to highlight an issue she believes deserves attention. It's the kind of attention that makes one wonder if her TikTok account could be considered the new reality show we never asked for. ‘You can’t just stand idly by when you see something that isn’t right,’ she remarked earnestly, perhaps hoping to position herself as a social justice warrior while holding her proverbial marshmallow stick—a daunting balancing act at best.

While Camp Mystic boasts notable alumnae, including the daughters of Texas political elites, their legacy stands in stark contrast to Perkins’ claims. The camp, which just turned 100 this year, has been unflatteringly cast into a national conversation of race, representation, and resource allocation amidst calamity. One has to ponder whether the camp's celebratory centenary gatherings will feature discussions on how to diversify their ranks or merely focus on the three-item menu of beans, nostalgia, and fishoutofwater scenarios.

As the search for missing campers continues, the camp's conservative leanings have managed to polarize opinions even further. Some argue that Perkins’ comments were simply a feeble attempt at discourse, while others view them as a blatant disregard for victims caught in a disastrous flood. Meanwhile, as the camp paddles through a rough political current, they might just need to build a canoe of empathy capable of navigating the waters of modern society's complexities.

In this age of viral content and instant outrage, one must wonder if Perkins assumed that social media would be her knight in shining armor—or maybe just her viral sidekick. As she finds herself in the middle of this roiling debate about race, media attention, and the inner workings of summer camps, she may soon realize that sometimes it's better to stay quiet and let the white water settle. After all, not every camp needs a drama queen paddleboarding through their centenary celebrations.