[Interview of Dr. Toniesha Taylor of Texas Southern University].

Dr. Toniesha Taylor, from Texas Southern University, talks about Afrofuturism, sound, theory, and the concept of a cannon. She defines Afrofuturism as a movement and as something that allows for looking at "the way Black folks exist and build worlds for ourselves in a tangible future." Dr. Taylor further mentions that she hopes people are able to recognize both the diversity of Blackness and Black Americanness, especially from a sound perspective. Reflecting on theory, she considers the best ones to be those that think about what a regular, everyday Black person can apply them to their lives. In the same vein, she mentions Zora Neale Hurston as an exemplary figure who built this kind of practical, and essential, theory. Dr. Taylor also stresses the importance and need of diversity in Black sound, theory, and praxis, further emphasizing that cannons need to be known, studied, and understood, but they cannot remain static, especially when talking about Afrofuturism. Interviewed on zoom by Julian Chambliss.

Recorded 2021 February 10