Devil in a White Dress: From Survival to Policing in the Modesty Standards of Black Holiness Congregations

Ambre Dromgoole, Oberlin College

Location

Science Center, A262

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-24-2015 2:45 PM

End Date

4-24-2015 3:45 PM

Abstract

In the artwork for her debut solo album Help, gospel superstar Erica Campbell was pictured in a formfitting white dress that covered her body from neck to calf. This photo caused a backlash in some Black holiness church circles. This capstone uses this controversy as a case study to establish that within Black church congregations there has been a transition from the use of modesty standards as a means for Black women’s survival to the policing or regulating of Black women’s bodies based on a perceived biblical model of womanhood and virtue.

Notes

Session 2, Panel 14 - From Ritual to Regulation: Policing Boundaries in Musical Expression
Moderator: David Heetderks, Assistant Professor of Music Theory

Major

Musical Studies; Religion

Advisor(s)

Kathryn Stuart, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
A.G. Miller, Religion

Project Mentor(s)

A.G. Miller, Religion

April 2015

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Apr 24th, 2:45 PM Apr 24th, 3:45 PM

Devil in a White Dress: From Survival to Policing in the Modesty Standards of Black Holiness Congregations

Science Center, A262

In the artwork for her debut solo album Help, gospel superstar Erica Campbell was pictured in a formfitting white dress that covered her body from neck to calf. This photo caused a backlash in some Black holiness church circles. This capstone uses this controversy as a case study to establish that within Black church congregations there has been a transition from the use of modesty standards as a means for Black women’s survival to the policing or regulating of Black women’s bodies based on a perceived biblical model of womanhood and virtue.