Musical analysis, as a technical procedure that focuses on the internal structure of individual compositions, is often considered too formal and lacking in historical and cultural context.

He advocated combining musicology with criticism, and using history as the basis for criticism, thus deepening the understanding of music.

Emphasises the role of black music in society and culture and the complexity of its research.

Musicology focuses on diverse issues, such as race and cultural identity.

The 1995 joint conference of the American Musicological Society and the Center for the Study of Black Music became a turning point in academic development.

The race, gender, and historical background of researchers affect the interpretation of black music.

Black music is not only an artistic expression, but also an expression of cultural identity.

The voice of black women:

Emphasises the influence of black female writers and scholars (such as Alice Walker and Toni Morrison) in the cultural field.

Criticizes the male-centrism in black cultural nationalism and calls for attention to the contributions of black women.

Limitations of academic methods:

Mainstream musicology tends to formalistic analysis and ignores the social and cultural significance of music.

Emphasises the historical distance of black music and calls for redefining its value in cultural and social contexts.

The combination of music and dance has become a symbol of black cultural expression.

His music has led to the development of styles such as Funk and Jazz-fusion.

Eileen Southern:

The book "The Music of Black Americans" breaks through the academic limitations of black music research.

Use historical research methods to record the evolution of black music.

Amiri Baraka:

The book "Blues People" explores the connection between black music and political economy.

Criticizes the impact of commercialization and urbanization on the "real" nature of black music.

From formalism to cultural studies, integrating semiotics, poststructuralism and critical theory.

Focus on the social function and historical context of music.

Interdisciplinary research:

Introducing tools such as literary theory and cultural studies into music research.

Expanding the boundaries of traditional musicology, especially the study of African American music.

The limited number of black music scholars has led to weak collectivism in academic research.

Call for strengthening academic unity in the complex context of identity politics.

The role of cultural translation:

Scholars play the role of "cultural translators" to explain black music and its significance to the mainstream academic community.

Reflect on power relations and racial issues in academia.

Scholars need to redefine the cultural value and social function of black music from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Advocate for a deeper connection between academia and social reality to promote the development of black music research.

Keywords: Eunuchs, machines, Cyborg, early modern technology.

• Donna Haraway's Framework:
  Bonnie Gordon applies Haraway's cyborg theory to analyze 17th-century castrati singers.
  Haraway's cyborgs challenge binary oppositions like nature/artifice and human/non-human, emphasizing hybridity and boundary-breaking identities.

• Cyborgs Beyond Electronics:

  • Cyborgs are not exclusive to electronic or digital technologies.

  • In the 17th century, "cyborg culture" emerged through technologies such as hydraulics, mechanical motion, and theatrical illusions.

• Challenges to Boundaries:

  • Castrati performers blur the lines between human and non-human.

  • Their surgically altered bodies and trained voices resemble modern cyborgs in transcending the divide between the natural and the artificial.