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DECOLONIZING WHITMAN: RETHINKING THE LANDSCAPE


Sara Marshall
News Editor

Whitman’s landscape is typically advertised as idyllic scenery amid the arid Walla Walla Valley. With creeks meandering through campus and trees towering over sidewalks, Whitman embodies a lush “park aesthetic.” The history of Whitman’s landscape is not so picturesque. The advent of missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman in 1836 on Cayuse land led to centuries of contention between Native tribes and White colonizers. The Whitman myth has contributed to a long-standing narrative that sensationalizes settler colonialism and disregards Indigenous history.

Read the full story here.

Photo by Aiden Tribolet.

STUDENTS MAKE A SPLASH WITH BIRDBATH


Jaime Fields
Campus Life Editor

A brightly-colored background and large, punny header greet readers as a long list of articles stream below, with titles including “They Should’ve Let Me Write 'Gossip Girl,'” “Bram Stoker’s 'Dracula' and the Importance of a Personal Canon” and “The Best Girlboss in All of Television.” This is the online student-run publication: “Birdbath.” 

Read the full story here.

Graphic contributed by Zac Bentz.

WHITMAN'S IDENTITY CRISIS


Bex Heimbrock
Opinion Editor


The New York Times Best Seller and subsequent non-profit Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) describes Whitman College as a place which, well, changes lives. The CTCL’s entry on Whitman College reads: “When asked what kind of person should come here, the first thing a Whitman student is likely to say is, ‘If you’re not willing to get involved, don’t bother to come here.’ By ‘involved’ that student would mean in one’s studies, with one another, with teachers and in campus life.” What CTCL neglects to mention is that it is also one of many liberal arts institutions having an identity crisis. The fact of the matter is, Whitman College doesn’t know what it wants to be and neither does its students. 

Read the full opinion article here.

A LOVE LETTER TO JOY


Keathley Pinney Brown
Feature Writer

The Netflix star Marie Kondo rocked the world by asking a simple question: "Does it spark joy?" Sometimes, when the pressure of school and life become overwhelming, joy can seem finite and out of reach. But, joy can show up in the strangest and most unexpected places. This week, Keathley Pinney Brown explores all the small and large ways that Whitties are sparking joy for themselves.

Read the full feature article here.

Illustration by Alicia Buchter.

IS WHITMAN PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY?


Sebastian Squire
News Reporter

Boasting many programs related to environmental studies, Whitman College professes sustainability as a core value of the College and has undertaken multiple projects in the area of sustainable infrastructure on campus. According to Whitman's website, “Sustainability is central to our mission at Whitman. Social equity, environmental integrity and economic security are fundamental components of a sustainable future, and we strive to integrate these three principles into all aspects of the college’s policies, programs and practices.” Are these noble principles reflected in Whitman's actions?

Read the full story here.

Photo by Keeli McKern.

NO NUT NOVEMBER FRONT-RUNNER EXPOSED FOR PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS


Lee Thomas
Existentialism in the front, absurdism in the back

This week, leading No Nut November (NNN) competitor Michael “Mike” Okhard was kicked off the leaderboard after a blood test revealed he was using performance-enhancing steroids, such as fluoxetine and naproxen. The results have caused quite the sticky situation as the world scrambles toward the appropriate next steps. 

Read the full article here.

HEAR FOR THE TEA:
THIS WEEK ON THE "WHITMAN WIRE PODCAST"


Audrey Marthin
Podcast Reporter


Whitman Swimming opened their season on Nov. 4 with wins over University of Puget Sound, a trajectory the team hopes to maintain as the season progresses. Although racking up wins is a much-beloved part of the athletic experience, sometimes the most valuable moments happen on the sidelines. This week, reporter Audrey Marthin investigates what keeps a team together, even after graduation.

New episodes of the "Whitman Wire Podcast" are released on Fridays at 11 a.m.

Tune in here.

Illustration by Payton Davies. 

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This newsletter was compiled by Gillian Brown, Managing Editor. She’d love your feedback! Email her at wire@whitman.edu






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