Breaking the Silence

An Evangelical Church’s Bold Step Toward Racial Healing

By Guest Contributing Writer Marc S. Friedman

Hahrie Han’s “Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity” in an American Church is an absorbing examination of how a predominantly white, Right-leaning evangelical megachurch in Cincinnati confronts racial division within its congregation and community.

At its core, the book is a story about transformation—not just of individuals, but of the collective effort required to dismantle systemic racism.

Set against the polarized backdrop of the 2016 elections, Han’s narrative begins with an apparent contradiction: Cincinnati voters simultaneously supported both Donald Trump’s election as President and a progressive ballot initiative to raise taxes for universal preschool education, principally for the children of Black families.

How could this happen?

This paradox drew Han, professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University, to Crossroads Church, a megachurch led by Pastor Chuck Mingo, who developed the "Undivided" program—a remarkable faith-based initiative to foster racial solidarity and the elimination of systemic racism. What unfolds is a poignant, multidimensional exploration of the intersection of race, faith, and collective action.

The heart of the book features four main participants, two men and two women: Pastor Chuck Mingo and Sandra who are Black, and Grant and Jess who are white. Each of these individuals navigates the complexity of race and faith in distinct but deeply interconnected ways, highlighting the personal and societal challenges of dismantling racism.

✝ Pastor Chuck Mingo

A Black pastor at Crossroads, Mingo grew up immersed in the Black church tradition and brought that perspective to his leadership at a predominantly white evangelical congregation, which politically leans well to the Right.

Mingo is the architect of the "Undivided" program, which he envisioned as a small-group initiative where members could engage in honest conversations about race, share their experiences, and build trust among them.

For Mingo, faith is central to his activism; he believes systemic racism is not only a social injustice but a moral failing incompatible with Christian teachings. Mingo's journey reveals his commitment to empowering his community to embrace the discomfort of confronting racial truths, offering a model of leadership rooted in humility and perseverance.

✝ Sandra

Sandra, also Black, brings a deep personal lens to the group. Her lived experiences with racism and systemic inequality become a powerful narrative thread throughout the book. Sandra’s courage in sharing painful and often exhausting truths inspires other participants to reflect on their own blind spots.

At the same time, her role in the group highlights the emotional labor that often falls disproportionately on people of color in these conversations. Han portrays Sandra not as a token teacher but as a resilient participant whose honesty and strength serve as catalysts for deeper engagement among her peers. Only when Sandra immerses herself in “Undivided” did she “find her voice” as a Black woman.

✝ Grant

Grant, a white man, enters the "Undivided" program grappling with discomfort and defensiveness about his racial privilege growing up in rural Ohio. Initially resistant to the idea that systemic racism is pervasive, he represents the journey of many white Americans whose well-meaning intentions can inadvertently perpetuate inequity.

Through the program, Grant undergoes a transformation, moving from skepticism to a more nuanced understanding of racism as a structural issue. His story underscores the importance of sustained engagement and trust-building in overcoming denial and guilt to become an ally in the fight for justice.

✝ Jess

For me, the most interesting participant is Jess, a white woman raised in a racist family. In fact, her father and uncle proudly displayed overtly racist tattoos including a swastika. Jess became a heroin addict and spent time in prison where she started down a long and fascinating road of recovery, including from her racism.

She comes to “Undivided” with a fervent desire to "do the right thing" but lacks clarity on how to move from personal goodwill to meaningful action. Her evolution mirrors a critical theme of the book: the limits of individual acts in addressing systemic issues.

Jess learns that dismantling racism requires more than personal reflection or isolated acts of kindness; it demands collective action grounded in trust and accountability. Her transformation demonstrates the power of community in fostering both individual growth and systemic impact.

Historical Context and Radical Change

Han situates the "Undivided" program within the broader history of the American evangelical community. She recounts the fissures that have emerged within church congregations as more activist members have pushed their churches to speak out against racial injustice and inequity.

While some congregations have made significant progress, others have been abjectly resistant to expressing any view outside of traditional church doctrine. This tension underscores the challenges of enacting change within faith communities, where entrenched beliefs and institutional inertia often impede progress.

A particularly resonant theme in Undivided is Han’s redefinition of the word “radical.” While many associate “radical” with extremism, Han reminds readers of its etymological roots: “radical” derives from the Latin word for “root.” She writes, “Change is radical not when it is extreme, but when it makes changes from the roots up.”

This philosophy aligns with historian Howard Zinn’s belief that societal transformation begins at the grassroots level. Like Zinn, Han argues that remedying systemic racism requires small, dedicated groups working together with trust and accountability. The "Undivided" program embodies this principle, demonstrating how incremental, root-level change can create a foundation for broader societal transformation.

Faith and Activism

Han’s depiction of Crossroads Church highlights the potential of faith-based communities to lead in the fight against systemic racism. Far from being incidental, the participants’ shared faith is a driving force in their willingness to engage deeply with one another.

The author persuasively argues that religious institutions, with their emphasis on shared values and communal responsibility, are uniquely positioned to foster the kind of trust and collaboration necessary for transformative change.

Yet, Han is careful not to romanticize the process. She acknowledges the resistance, setbacks, and frustrations inherent in this work. The book portrays moments of vulnerability, conflict, and failure, offering an honest account of what it takes to confront systemic racism.

The Power of Collective Action

Han’s scholarship shines as she connects the "Undivided" program to broader themes in civic participation and social movements. Her analysis underscores the importance of small, dedicated groups as the building blocks of larger systemic change.

The program’s success lies not in grand gestures but in the quiet, persistent work of fostering understanding, building trust, and taking collective action. This incremental approach may seem modest, but Han argues convincingly that it is the only path to lasting change.

Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church is a powerful testament to the potential for transformation when individuals and institutions commit to confronting systemic racism.

Through the stories of Chuck, Sandra, Grant, and Jess, Han illustrates the challenges and rewards of building trust and solidarity across racial lines. By weaving together historical context, personal narratives, and a reimagined concept of radical change, Han offers readers both inspiration and a practical roadmap for collective action.

Her work reminds us that true progress requires not just individual acts but the sustained, collective effort of communities willing to engage in the hard work of change.

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