Commuter heroes

It turned out badly.

Three men tried to protect two frightened young girls from a racist assault. They were on a light rail commuter train in Portland. The girls, both black with one wearing a hajib, were accosted by a man full of hate.

Witnessing the tirade, other men moved to defend the girls.

Suddenly, the confrontation turned ugly and violent. The attacker killed two of the men and injured the third with a knife, slashing his throat.

This is not how the incident should have ended. The three good Samaritans ideally would have defused the situation and brought the attacker under control.

The ideal was far from reality.

The outcome was tragic.

Often civilians stand aside or look the other way when ugly incidents occur. Many see threats and dangers and do not react to them or report them.

These three men did what they thought was right and moral. They did what they thought they should do.

They intervened to protect these two girls they did not know.

In this day when the word “hero” is used freely for any number of good deeds, there must be a word to better describe these three men. “Hero” just may not be strong enough.

They stepped in when they were needed. They paid a very high price for their good citizenship and their good intentions. They paid a very high price, indeed, for their humanity.

The common advice is “see something, say something.” That is still good advice.

In fact, it is essential advice.

These men, however, were in a situation where apparently there was nobody to go to. Instead of waiting and watching, they acted bravely and selflessly.

We must all decry the violence that took two lives and injured a third, but we must cheer their commitment and involvement.

Much violence and hatred could be squelched if more citizens refused to accept situations such as this one.

Although it turned out badly for the three, their actions resound as an example of citizen and human involvement. The more who refuse to accept such situations will ensure it turns out badly for those who wallow in hate and violence.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher