Social Justice Week 2025:
Criminal Justice

Social Justice Week, held March 10-14, 2025, focused on Criminal Justice. By exploring systemic inequalities, mass incarceration, and the balance between justice and reconciliation, the Jesuit community engaged in meaningful conversations, empowering all to advocate for human dignity and address the moral challenges that emerge in today's world. 

Jesuit High School's Social Justice Week is a time to intentionally focus on issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through the lens of human dignity. In the Ignatian tradition of forming people for and with others, students move from awareness to action, not only learning about matters of social justice, but also acquiring tools to be advocates for change in their communities. Social Justice Week exercises the head, heart, hand and voice of each member of the Jesuit High School community.

 Keynote Speaker: Ethan Thrower

This year's keynote speaker was Ethan Thrower, a social worker at Open School, an alternative high school in Southeast Portland, who is committed to social justice and restorative practices. He is the author of A Kids Book About Incarceration. 

Ethan spoke to students about his own lived experience and urged students to see the humanity in others and advocate for systemic reform in the criminal justice system.

What does Social Justice Week consist of?

Social Justice Week exercises the head, heart, hand, and voice of each member of the Jesuit High School community. Students will move from awareness to action, not only learning about matters of social justice, but also acquiring tools to be advocates for change in their communities. During the week, students will be able to participate in:

  • Three days of presentations, workshops, and actions (students sign up through Canva)
  • Community Celebration Assembly
  • Mass highlighting the multilingual Jesuit community

More about Social Justice Week

Social Justice Week focuses on collective learning, relationship building, and avenues for advocacy. Each member in our community will partake in workshops, seminars, and creative expressions to learn more about topics of interest. Each year will have a theme, picked by students the year before. This week allows the Jesuit community to analyze and better understand the ways in which historically, economically, socially, and politically marginalized communities have experienced injustice. In the Ignatian tradition of forming people with and for others, Social Justice Week gives students the opportunity to not only learn about injustice but find ways in which their voices can bring forth change. 

Criminal Justice Presentation Topics Included:

  • Integrating Education into the Prison System
  • Left Without a Parent: What Happens to Children with Incarcerated Parents
  • Predictive Policing: Tool or Just Cruel?
  • Justice in Mind: Criminal Justice and Mental Health
  • Georgetown Slavery Archive and Treatment of Indigenous Peoples
  • Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Justice
  • Abuse and Neglect in Women's Prisons
  • Is the Death Penalty Ethical?
  • Floods, Fires & Felonies: How Climate Justice Reshapes Crime and Justice
  • Court of Public Opinion: The Effects of Media on Criminal Cases
  • Pathways to Ending Mass Incarceration in Oregon

Social Justice Week 2025