The Ropes Came Down

In the spring of 1953, Billy Graham arrived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a crusade and found the auditorium divided — ropes strung down the center aisle separating white attendees from Black attendees, as local custom demanded. Graham walked to the center of the arena, grabbed the ropes with both hands, and tore them down. When ushers tried to re-hang them, he insisted they stay down.…