Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

A flower and message are shown at a memorial in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, May 30, 2017, for the victims who were fatally stabbed while trying to stop a man from shouting anti-Muslim insults at two young women on a Portland light-rail train. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)
June 22, 2017 | 0 Comments

America Needs More Heroes – and a Lot Fewer Bystanders

JCRC Board Member Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp was invited to be one of eleven members of The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Board of Contributors. The small group is made up of people who are influencing change and providing valuable and unique perspectives in our community. The following is her first editorial submission as part of that board. 

Two weeks ago, on a commuter train in Portland, Oregon, Jeremy Christian hurled racial epithets, anti-Muslim slurs and obscenities at two young women. Three men intervened, which led to violence, stabbing, the serious wounding of Micah Fletcher, and the deaths of Rick Best and Taliesin Namkai-Meche, two of the men who stood up.

Fletcher, Best and Meche have been labeled heroes in the news media, a title that is certainly deserved. They saw something dangerous happening to people more vulnerable than themselves, and they stepped up to help.

When I hear about tragic events like this, sometimes I fantasize about what I would do in that same situation. I always imagine myself as the hero, being just like Fletcher, Best and Namkai-Meche; acting without outward concern for my own well-being, standing up and doing what is right. That is what makes it fantasy.

To read her full editorial, click here. 


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