Professor of History and American Studies, Krystyn Moon
Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon has published a new book titled Proximity to Power: Rethinking Race and Place in Alexandria, Virginia with the University of North Carolina Press (2025).
The book examines how Alexandria’s unique geographic position across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. profoundly shaped the experiences of African American residents from the mid-19th century to the present day. Moon explores how this proximity to the nation’s capital affected Black residents’ access to schools, transportation and other resources compared to other southern communities. Through detailed analysis of Alexandria’s Black community, the book highlights their enduring advocacy and resilience while adding important nuance to our understanding of how geography influences racial experience in America.