A question we must ask ourselves

To the editor:

(re: “For some, New York City is not ‘Gotham,’” May 11)

As we reflect on the recent subway killing, there are questions that must be answered.

First, regarding the situation itself: Was the homeless man causing any physical harm to any passenger? Could a passenger move to another location or anther car?

Second, but more important and more difficult to answer: What might happen to a person who intervened in the assault? Might he or she be hurt?

Since there is no way to know this, the question must be: Is what is the risk to the one who would attempt to intervene?

This question is not unique to this situation We need to think of the George Floyd murder and the onlookers who did nothing.

The question becomes a very personal one for each of us and, in fact, we may not even be able to know this answer unless and until one is presented with such a situation.

The universal question: Is it incumbent on any individual to intervene when he sees evil being committed?

How great is the risk to oneself, and is he or she willing to take that risk?

A question each of us might ask of ourselves.

Claire Lobel