Hundreds of students at Central Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon, exercised their right to free speech on April 24th by participating in a walkout protest. The demonstration was organized by the Black Student Union in response to what students perceive as an inadequate handling of a racist incident involving the school’s baseball team.
Protest Demands and School Response
The walkout, spearheaded by senior Kaela Woodard, drew hundreds of students from the 800-student high school. Participants presented a list of demands to the school administration and the Portland Archdiocese. These demands include the suspension of the entire baseball coaching staff pending specific training, revisions to the school’s anti-racist policies, and the exclusion of some varsity baseball players from continuing their season.
The incident that sparked the protest involved a racial slur used by a member of the baseball team during a pre-game cheer, reportedly after hazing a freshman. Central Catholic administration acknowledged the incident, stating, “Last week, we learned that racial hate speech was used by a member of our baseball team during a pre-game cheer. This language is offensive, harmful, and in direct conflict with who we are as a school community.”
Student Dissatisfaction with School’s Actions
Despite the school forfeiting two baseball games, canceling in-person classes on Monday and Tuesday to support students, and the baseball team issuing an apology at an all-school assembly, many students felt the response was insufficient. Senior Jalen Jackson expressed frustration, saying, “They hold these safe spaces for us where we can talk and freely share our opinions, but they create no real change, and want to change pretty much nothing.”
Jackson added, “Our Black students are obviously mortified by this happening, but I see too many people in this school walking up to them and talking like nothing has ever happened. It’s really disgusting, to be honest, and we need to be better as a community.”
School Acknowledges Student Concerns
In an updated statement, school officials acknowledged the walkout as a “powerful expression of hurt and urgency” from Black students and the community. “We support our students’ right to express themselves. Students have raised serious concerns about potential hazing, team culture, coaching oversight, and our response as a school. We are addressing each of these concerns directly and in alignment with our current policies,” the statement read. The school affirmed that actions consistent with current policies have been taken and that students are being held accountable.
Mike Phillips, a parent of a sophomore who participated in the walkout, drew parallels to his younger son’s experience at another school, calling for greater accountability from institutions. “It’s kind of like the same playbook,” he said. “When you get hit with the ball of racism, when we throw the ball back at you, at accountability in these institutions, you can’t hide behind the cross or the church. You have to be accountable for what it is.”
What are your thoughts on the student walkout and the school’s response? How can educational institutions better address incidents of racism and hazing? Share your views in the comments below.
