Former Memphis mayoral candidate Carol Chumney issued a press release today with congratulations to interim Shelby County mayor Joyce Avery, the county's first female mayor. Chumney also declared that "breaking the glass ceiling here is a civil rights issue."
Chumney made women's rights a cornerstone of her mayoral campaign, during one debate asking what message not electing a female mayor sends to little girls.
Since the election, Chumney has underscored the gender bias in the media, last week blasting this blog for portraying her in what she perceived as gender-specific terms.
Chumney, who said she is back at her law practice full-time, is now commending Avery for shattering the glass ceiling - at least on an interim basis. But she also took the opportunity to blame the media - again -- for its bias coverage of women.
"I hope in the future that qualified women will not be limited to legislative positions in state or local government, will be given fair and unbiased coverage by the press and media when they seek higher office, and will have the opportunity to be elected to lead as mayor, Governor, and the U.S. Senate," Chumney writes. "This is a civil rights issue for women in Memphis, Shelby County and Tennessee. "
What about you, "Alex"? Is that short for Alexis or Alexandria? Do you think you've been held back because of your sex organs?
Way to play the gender card to cover your shortcomings, Miss Chumney. I see you've learned a lot from Herenton!
I guess she saw how well the race card has been played for so many years in Memphis, so why not try the gender card?
The irony of this is that Chumney used (and still uses) gender to frame her campaign while, at the same time, she complains about the press using "gender-specific terms" during its coverage of her campaign. Even if the press merely quoted her campaign speeches and comments to the media verbatim, the focal point would still be gender related.
If Carol were a bit more substantive and less devisive, I'm sure the media would cover her in a better light. It seems like the only time I ever hear from her she's complaining - about being mistreated, underrepresented, etc. People want to vote for a Positive Polly and not a Critical Carol. We women don't have to b*tch and moan to break the glass ceiling...there is such a thing as just rising above it.