This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The recent attack on three American heroes — two of whom were killed — on a commuter train in Portland, Oregon, is a reminder of the nation's unfortunate and often whitewashed history of racial discord and religious intolerance.

The heroes stood up for two teenage girls, one wearing a hijab, who were specifically targeted because of the way they looked – because the way they looked testified they were Muslim. And that was objectionable to an evil white supremacist on the evening train.

The nation's recent rebirth of anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic, anti-black Confederate flag-waving is alarming. Yet few have responded to the clarion call. The polarizing and hateful rhetoric was destined to become violent. And now it has.

But the heroes of this story are being called Good Samaritans for a reason. Ricky John Best, 53, of Happy Valley, Oregon, was an army veteran and city employee trying to return home to his family for the night. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, was a recent college graduate starting his career in environmental consulting. They were both killed.

A third man who also came to the aid of the young women, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, 21, of Portland, was wounded.

These three men were Good Samaritans because they came upon their neighbors, beaten and helpless, and bent to pick them up, to find them refuge and to heal their wounds.

They spoke up for young girls being yelled at, intimidated and terrorized. Their actions spoke louder than the hysterical ranting of the thief who stole the peace from that train and the lives of these good men.

Who will we stand for if it won't be our brother? What will we stand for if it won't be our freedoms?

This nation has a long history of cowardice in the face of brutalism – slavery, the interment of our Japanese citizens, institutionalized racism and generational poverty. But this nation also has a long history of heroism.

The month of May opened the season of national celebration in America. Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Veterans Day all recognize men and women who serve, served or died for freedom and liberty and the right to wear a hijab on the train.

It's time to remember who we are. Like the heroes in Portland. Like the mayor of New Orleans Mitch Landrieu and his landmark speech about removing confederate monuments.

Be the Good Samaritan. Take heart from the Portland hero Namkai-Meche's last words: "Tell everyone on this train I love them."