What is social justice? (us)

Pedagogical value

What Is Social Justice? was created as part of a 10-week course at Portland State University titled Social Justice and the Arts. Rooted in critical pedagogy, the course invited students to explore the question “What does social justice mean to you?” through art, discussion, and community engagement. This film is the result of that collective inquiry. Blending documentary, poetry, and visual collage, the film weaves together students’ responses, artwork, and original music into a layered and intimate reflection on justice, identity, and possibility. It functions as both a reflection of learning and a tool for teaching—designed to prompt dialogue, artistic response, and personal storytelling. The pedagogical framework centers student voice and creative expression, encouraging participants to move beyond theory and engage emotionally and artistically with real-world issues. Weekly assignments included creative responses—poetry, visual art, performance—that were then shared, discussed, and, in many cases, integrated into the film. Though originally created within a university setting, the film has strong potential as a teaching tool in high school, university, and community-based workshops. It can be paused for discussion, used to spark reflective writing or group art-making, or serve as a prompt for collaborative projects. Its open structure and closing message—“This film is one response. The next page is yours.”—invite viewers to participate and respond, making it well-suited for participatory learning environments. In short, this film is both a product and a process—a way of seeing, feeling, and engaging with justice that can be adapted to diverse educational settings.