Dunno how music can be sexist.

Lyrics, on the other hand... Sexism is part of the traditions we have. How we uphold the sexist nature of them is what is telling of contemporary performers who work in the tradition. Then, too, tradition is a dynamic, growing, changing thing. Those who would hold tradition static, frozen at some particular year/era, claiming the virtue of being a "purist" are usually unwilling to consider anyone's opinion but their own.

The poke at "liberals" making amendments, and jumping to the assumption that everything must be changed if anything is, is a typical attempt to politicize a cultural issue. So much of traditional song needs respect for context and audience. Denigrating politeness as a sneered at "political correctness" only shows meanspiritedness. Do you sing a ballad about a rape to a group of rape survivors? Do you sing Stephen Foster lyrics exactly as written to an audience with black members? Do you sing a song about murder or infanticide to a grade school audiences?

Being aware that certain subjects can be touchy to your listeners means putting them ahead of yourself. Things that you might value and they might not, might well be acceptable if presented with a dose of context. There are many traditional subjects that are about outrages - murder, betrayal, forced marriage, revenge - that are simply examples of the darker side of human nature, and illuminating them in a cautionary way can show both shifting cultural values, or the ways some evils still exist.

Joanne in Cleveland