Kerman calls for a shift toward a critical musicology that emphasizes meaning, interpretation, and evaluation.

Encourages questions about the societal, emotional, and aesthetic impact of music.

Examination of Terminology: The article scrutinizes the language used in musicology, suggesting that certain terms and classifications perpetuate stereotypes and misunderstandings about Black musical forms.

Interdisciplinary Approach: Ramsey encourages incorporating methodologies from cultural studies, sociology, and anthropology to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Black music.

Critical Bias:

• Prejudices or assumptions that influence the way music is studied, interpreted, or valued, often reflecting broader cultural or racial biases.

Eurocentrism:

• A worldview that centers European cultural standards, often marginalizing or devaluing non-European traditions in musicology.

• Hegemony:

  • The dominance of one cultural group over others, which can shape perceptions and values in musicology and other fields.

Epistemology:

• The study of knowledge, including how we know what we know and the assumptions underlying scholarly approaches to music.