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The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White

The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White

The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White

With “Regretting You,” the latest of these adaptations released in U.S. theaters on Oct. 24, audiences once again face the question: Can a film capture the raw depth of Hoover’s writing?

From page to screen: Motherhood and miscommunication in Regretting You

By Dinah Elias November 6, 2025

Adaptations of Colleen Hoover’s novels have become a cultural phenomenon, sparking both praise and debate for how they translate the emotionally charged stories to the screen. With “Regretting You,”...

“I’m from Iceland, but I feel truly like Washington D.C. is a hometown for me,” Laufey said. “I’m getting so emotional because I started my music project here from my bedroom.”

Laufey enchants at Capital One Arena

By Annabel Taylor October 28, 2025

A sea of fans adorned in lacy ribbons, Mary Janes and flowy skirts filled the stands of Capital One Arena on Thursday, Oct. 23 — a physical manifestation of the romantic and dreamy imagery that accompanies...

For many teenagers at Whitman, freedom usually comes in the form of a driver’s license and a set of car keys. However, there’s a different kind of key that doesn’t require waiting until age 16, fighting for a parking space or paying inflated amounts for insurance — keys to an electric bike.

No license, no problem: Why Whitman teens should turn towards E-bikes

By John John Magruder October 27, 2025

For many teenagers at Whitman, freedom usually comes in the form of a driver’s license and a set of car keys. However, there’s a different kind of key that doesn’t require waiting until age 16, fighting...

Injustices in the prison system give rise to disenfranchisement, which remains a major issue. Not only is denying prisoners voting rights immoral, but it’s also a barrier to minority participation in democracy, further silencing their voices.

Democracy Behind Bars: Why prisoners should be able to vote while incarcerated

By Dinah Elias October 23, 2025

For centuries, Americans have fought for their government; from declaring independence from European powers to forming the nation’s democracy, society has highly valued equality of opportunity. The right...

At the surface level, this was blunt racism, pushing past those thin layers, there was a hidden underlying issue: cultural erasure — the suppression of a cultural group’s heritage driven by dominant cultures through neglect. 

Cultural erasure: How my school forgot my identity

By Dinah Elias October 23, 2025

It was a typical day in seventh grade, and as the bell rang loudly over the speaker system, I walked towards my history class, unsure of what topics we’d be discussing that day. When I found my seat...

The movie opens with Kerr and Staples in good standing, but as Kerr’s addiction worsens and he becomes more withdrawn, their relationship starts to falter.

Inside the ring and mind: ‘The Smashing Machine’ reveals fighters’ psyche

By Sidney Ostrow October 22, 2025

Upon hearing that a new movie stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, viewers may immediately assume they’re about to see a shallow action film. “The Smashing Machine” is not that film. Director Benny...

Programs like Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) exist to bridge this gap. JROTC is a high school program sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces and taken as an elective class. Retired servicemembers teach cadets to be effective leaders and responsible citizens through a mix of classroom instruction and recreational activities.

Beyond the classroom: why Whitman needs JROTC

By Juliet Turatti October 21, 2025

At Whitman, rigorous academics seem like the priority. Approximately 85% of students take AP classes, and many go on to attend prestigious colleges. Students spend hours each night completing homework...

Dependence on these technologies and prolonged conversations can lead to AI psychosis — a phenomenon where users become delusional, paranoid and out of touch with reality because of interactions with an AI chatbot.

AI psychosis: The hidden risk of chatbot companions

By Charles Penn October 20, 2025

Late at night, a teen sits alone in their room unable to fall asleep. Feeling lonely and anxious, they open an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, desperate for conversation and a sense of understanding....

Music artists today largely strive to receive streams and chart well, while many older artists focused on pushing political messages. Protest music can speak to people’s emotions, as a single powerful song can take one person’s struggle and urge thousands to feel and act on it.

The Beat of Change: Why protest music must rise again

By Charles Penn October 19, 2025

From spirituals sung on plantations during slavery to anthems that fueled the Civil Rights Movement, music has always been a powerful force in the fight against oppression. Protest music has conveyed the...

The debate surrounding appropriation versus appreciation is always fierce and scarcely productive. However, appropriation in the context of South Asian culture is more complex than many may think.

South Asian fashion: A glimpse into the West’s selective appropriation

By Zara Madhok October 16, 2025

The South Asian influence in modern-day pop culture is undeniable. Whether it’s people sipping chai lattes or aligning their chakras, the aestheticization of Indian products and practices is a globally...

Golf is the perfect sport for those looking to spend more time outdoors, meet new people and stay active — and there’s never been a better time to get into it.

Beyond the course: Why you should start playing golf

By Sidney Ostrow October 12, 2025

Golf has undergone huge changes in the 21st century. The industry exploded as the sport became increasingly affordable for the average player and has since gained millions of supporters. As of 2024, 138...

From emotional melodramas to comical murder mysteries and Halloween classics, all of these films share a warm, autumnal spirit — perfect for colder weather.

Top ten movies to watch this autumn

By Marta Marques October 8, 2025

Fall has arrived, and nothing beats watching a good movie for those cozy nights curling up under a blanket. For some, it means a good rom-com to watch with a fresh batch of cookies, while others may prefer...

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