Engendered Species

Folks, I’m an old fashioned kind of guy at heart. I’m not ashamed to admit it. And as such, I’ve always had a fondness for somewhat conservative family values, with traditional gender roles being defined just as they have been for generations. I know this is not a popular opinion anymore; but what’s so bad with the man being the breadwinner and the head of the household? And what’s wrong with the woman being in her traditional role of taking charge of the home and, lord willing, the little ones? I know these days it’s an outdated view, and that society will continue to move forward, for better or worse. But you know, sometimes the world feels so crazy, I can’t help but long for the good old days when things were more simple. After all, the music we play and love is old-fashioned, so why can’t our values be? Please don’t think that this attitude means that I don’t respect women. Of course I do! How can I not? (After all, my mom is a woman.) But what can I say? I love the ladies. It’s not even my fault—they’re just so damn nice to look at. And sincerely, I’m not against having them in the workplace, not in the slightest. But sorry ladies: the truth is there are just some things that men are better at than you. Maybe it’s evolution, maybe it’s in the genes, but men are just plain better at some things. Like... sexual harassment, for example. Just
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Reedman extraordinaire Adrian Cunningham is the leader of Professor Cunningham and his Old School Jazz Band, based in New York City. Adrian Cunningham was voted in a 2017 Hot House Jazz Magazine readers’ poll the Best Alto Sax Player in New York. His most recent album is Duologue, issued on the Arbors Jazz label. Visit him on the world wide web: www.adriancunningham.com.

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