i guess that my point is this. We live in a multicoloured, multicultural society. If we allow modern folk music to be written entirely by the white community we will miss out culturally - folk songs need to reflect the world we live in - not just a part of it.

I think Greg is right, the songs are out there just not in the folk clubs. When I say the folk world is institutionally racist I don't mean that clubs would reject a singer on the grounds of race. What i mean is that the institutions (EFDSS, AFO, Arts Council, PRS, Festivals etc.) all run projects, artist development schemes and so on - but nobody makes the effort to go and find these black artists and bring them into the fold.

So if you don't think you are a folk singer, we don't address you - that's how institutional racism works - it's a bit like the arguments over university entrance. "If you don't know how to play our game that's your loss". Well I don't agree - I think it's our loss.

Here's an example of what can be achieved. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22925611