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Something is sexist when language users think it is. The problem with he/him/his is that the primary meaning refers to males, only. Because of that, anyone reading it gets pushed towards the primary meaning.

That's why some people push towards the use of the singular they (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singular_they) That may eventually change the language for all.

Because it leads to a default assumption of a male actor which has often been relied upon to exclude women, especially from career roles. While a writer or speaker may intend a term generically, readers and listeners often infer (or pretend to infer) the gendered meaning.

For example, consider the following headline 'What you can tell about a doctor from the sort of shoes he wears.' You're probably not picturing any women's shoes when you read that.

IIRC studies show the 'generic' he isn't so generic; speakers will picture a man.