Proximity to Power: Rethinking Race and Place in Alexandria, Virginia

by Krystyn R. Moon

Overview

Located just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, Alexandria, Virginia, has long held a unique sociopolitical position due to its proximity to the nation’s capital. This unexplored relationship had a profound impact on African Americans' access to schools, transportation, and other resources in comparison to other southern towns and cities. Proximity to Power examines the history of Alexandria’s African American community from the mid-nineteenth century to the twenty-first century, focusing on its dynamic relationship with the federal government before, during, and after the Civil War. Krystyn R. Moon highlights the long-standing advocacy and agency of Alexandria’s Black residents, adding further nuance to our understanding of the relationship between race and place.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781469686073
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	07/01/2025
Pages:	230
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Krystyn R. Moon is professor of history and American studies at the University of Mary Washington.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Proximity to Power is the first major history of Alexandria, Virginia, highlighting its crucial role at the crossroads of US nationalism and the African American struggle for freedom. Krystyn Moon skillfully blends southern, urban, and suburban history with public history to explore how the Black community in Alexandria navigated its proximity to federal power, creating a deeply researched narrative that captures the city’s uniquely dynamic relationship with Washington, DC.”—Andrew Friedman, Haverford College

“Krystyn Moon creatively explores the role of African Americans and their community organizations as they navigated and challenged racial issues and federal power in the District of Columbia. As a result, her book is timely, insightful, and persuasive.”—LaDale Winling, Virginia Tech

Editorial Reviews

“Proximity to Power is the first major history of Alexandria, Virginia, highlighting its crucial role at the crossroads of US nationalism and the African American struggle for freedom. Krystyn Moon skillfully blends southern, urban, and suburban history with public history to explore how the Black community in Alexandria navigated its proximity to federal power, creating a deeply researched narrative that captures the city’s uniquely dynamic relationship with Washington, DC.”—Andrew Friedman, Haverford College

“Krystyn Moon creatively explores the role of African Americans and their community organizations as they navigated and challenged racial issues and federal power in the District of Columbia. As a result, her book is timely, insightful, and persuasive.”—LaDale Winling, Virginia Tech

From the Publisher