Neanderthals hunted the largest land animals of their time‚ giant beasts that weighed twice as much as African elephants – or mammoths‚ for that matter. The achievement not only shows a level of organization (and courage) previously unconfirmed in our nearest relatives but could have shaped Neanderthal society in Europe between ice ages in a major way.Earlier this year a team led by Professor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser of the MONREPOS Archaeological Research Center reported cut marks on bones of straight-tusked elephants (Palaeoloxodon antiquus) at Neumark-Nord 1 in Germany from around 125‚000 years ago. Although at first sight the marks could have been the result of scavenging on individuals that died from other causes‚ Gaudzinski-Windheuser and colleagues argued bones treated in this way were so abundant at the one site that they must have been hunted there instead. However‚ this discovery raised the question of whether there was something distinctive about Neumark-Nord‚ or if giant elephant hunting was a more widespread practice. Now‚ these authors have answered their own question using Palaeoloxodon bones from two other sites in modern-day eastern Germany‚ Gröbern and Taubach.The common feature of the three sets of bones (besides all being quite close together) is that all were created around 125‚000 years ago‚ during the last interglacial period when the Earth was at a similar temperature to today. Only one elephant carcass is available from Gröbern for study‚ and only 17 of the bones from Taubach display cutmarks. Nevertheless‚ the similarities were striking.“We identified in both assemblages similar butchering patterns as at Neumark-Nord‚ demonstrating that extended elephant exploitation was a widespread Neanderthal practice during the (early part of the) Last Interglacial‚” they write. These sites also reveal the same bias seen at Neumark-Nord towards adult male Palaeoloxodon‚ much larger than the females‚ but probably traveling along rather than in herds. Life-sized reconstruction of a bull straight-tusked elephant (P. antiquus) in the Landesmuseum for Vorgeschichte‚ Halle‚ with Dr Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser for scaleImage Credit: Lutz Kindler‚  LEIZA (CC BY-NC-ND)Toothmarks at Taubach indicate large carnivores also got at the bones‚ but these were rare enough to suggest the Neanderthals were able to keep their competition at bay for a long time. On their own‚ Gröbern and Taubach could have represented fortunate Neanderthals coming across a recently dead elephant. However‚ seen in the light of Neumark-Nord‚ it looks more likely that hunting was a feature of the region’s Neanderthals during this warm era.Unless elephant killing was the extreme sport of its day‚ undertaken without being too worried about maximizing benefit‚ the Neanderthals must have had a way to make use of these giant beasts. The team calculated that you could get enough meat to provide a Neanderthal’s daily calorie needs 2‚500 times over from a single Palaeoloxodon individual – and not even a particularly large one.Unless the hunters had a way to preserve the meat it would have spoiled quickly‚ even in winter.Consequently‚ the authors reason‚ Neanderthals either had preservation techniques we are not aware of – and were able to implement them fast – or they came together in large numbers to consume such abundance. Either would change our view of Neanderthal society‚ at least in Germany. Most likely‚ the paper proposes‚ the truth is a combination of the two. Moreover‚ it would have been impossible for a small group to carry too much meat with them. If they were preserving it‚ they must have stayed nearby for a long time to make full use‚ rather than being constantly on the move.The study is published open access in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 

Bus drivers encounter a myriad of sights on their daily routes‚ but it’s not every day that they become heroes. This story begins in Milwaukee‚ where the holiday season brought more than just festive cheer; it brought a remarkable act of kindness and a reminder of the warmth of human spirit. It all started on... The post Bus driver spots 2 lost dogs in freezing cold and makes it her mission to get them home appeared first on Animal Channel.

A school district in Vermont claimed that if schools begin honoring a day that celebrates those who detransitioned after changing their gender (well‚ attempting to)‚ calling it “Detransition Awareness Day” would be hurtful and offensive to “transgender” students.  Townhall obtained documents from Parents Defending Education who’d initially requested the “Detransition Awareness Day.” Supposedly‚ a parent emailed the school board on February 6‚ 2023 asking to add a “Detransition Awareness Day” to the school calendar. The parent proposed March 12 for the celebration.  Townhall reported that the parent also asked that the book “Irreversible Damage‚” a story by Abigail Shrier that details how harmful transgender procedures are‚ be available to students “on an easel atop the shelves in the HS library” in the Essex Westford School District in Vermont. “Within the framework of equity and inclusion‚ those who choose to reverse course on the current prevalent narrative should be celebrated. It is a lonely path since it travels uphill against the downhill slippery slope‚ but students in this marginalized group deserve our support‚” the parent wrote in the email.  While school districts regularly celebrate pride‚ it seems only fair that a day to honor those who don’t celebrate changing their gender be instituted as well‚ yet‚ the Vermont district didn’t agree. Here’s what the school district replied according to Townhall: People who transition genders in any direction are recognized on national coming out day and during Pride month. We would‚ of course‚ support someone transitioning in any direction. Centering transitioning gender as damaging does not align with the EWSD Equity Policy's requirement of being LGBTQIA+ affirming. This particular frame on gender transition -- moving from a trans status to a status of gender assigned at birth because of damage done -- is not something we would center. Instead‚ we would support any person transitioning for any reason through the current days and structures we recognize and be supportive of their transition by recognizing the gender to which they identify. Detransition can be hurtful to transgender people and youth. We want to meet their mental needs. The school district is essentially saying‚ 'We’ll celebrate you if you want to live a delusion but if you accept reality‚ you’re on your own.' In the email‚ the school district indicated that the book‚ “Irreversible Damage‚” “actually goes against our equity policy and can cause harm.” Following that email‚ the parent reached back out insisting that their intention is not to “celebrate cisgender identities‚” but rather bring awareness to “transition regret.” A few days after that email‚ the school district replied that it “would not add a day to the calendar where the underlying narrative or content of the day points at others in harmful ways based on identity or for existing in the first place‚” and later added‚ “If the narrative around detransition day were a genuine celebration or recognition of folks who are detransitioning without pointing toward others as harmful for creating representation and equal rights for trans folks‚ I would see this differently.” So schools can point out how amazing they think transitioning is‚ but not how harmful it can be? Seems like a cherry picked assortment of data and information access in order to push an agenda if you ask me. Erika Sanzi‚ the director of outreach for Parents Defending Education felt similarly and told Townhall the following: Schools should get out of the habit of celebrating all these silly days on the calendar but if they are going to do so‚ they can't choose sides. And if school officials think that detransition awareness violates their equity policy‚ they'd be wise to get rid of that policy because it's clearly not equitable or inclusive despite claims to the contrary. That’s exactly right! Schools shouldn't pick sides or they should allow both or multiple to be supported and be given the opportunity to have equal access and representation.  It’s crazy that parents even have to advocate for a day that brings light to the dangers of transgenderism. Transgenderism isn’t something that should exist‚ so a day celebrating detransitioning shouldn’t have to exist either. But it’s the end of 2023‚ and here we are.  Long story short‚ get your kids out of public school.

Fox Business host Stuart Varney panned absurd comments made by U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry at a Dubai environmentalist conference.  Varney bashed Kerry's calls for the banning of coal-fired power plants as "crazy‚ unrealistic green goals.” On Dec. 3‚ Kerry said‚ "There shouldn't be any more coal-fired power plants permitted anywhere in the world.” But Varney lambasted Kerry's draconian recommendations uttered at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. “It shouldn't shock us but it's a grave error‚” Varney said on the Dec. 4 edition of Fox &; Friends. “20% of America's electricity supply today comes from coal. Kerry wants to abandon coal completely. You can't build any new power plants and you will shut down the coal-fired power plants that we have already got probably by 2035.”     Varney went on to ask the obvious question of how to replace all this energy‚ “You face a short-term crunch where they’re gonna get rid of all these coal-fired plants. Where does the electricity come from if it's not from coal? Where are we going to get it from? The president says‚ ‘We can get it from solar and wind.’ They actually said that just a couple of weeks ago.” Varney rejected this suggestion‚ “Dream on‚ Mr. President‚ dream on.”  The Varney &; Co. host then pointed out that many of the already-implemented wind projects are being walked back‚ asking Doocy‚ “Have you seen all those wind projects that have been canceled all up and down the eastern seaboard – Massachusetts‚ Rhode Island‚ New Jersey‚ Delaware‚ [Maryland]. They are not going to get the electricity they will need from those wind farms.”  Varney went on to suggest that restrictions on fracking natural gas in states like New York‚ alongside pipeline issues‚ would make it difficult to replace coal with more natural gas. Varney added‚ “You are going to have an energy crunch because they are committed to these — I think — crazy‚ unrealistic green goals.”  This replacement or at least the destruction of American coal energy without an alternative‚ is already underway.  Earlier this year‚ leftist billionaire Michael Bloomberg perversely celebrated the closure of coal plants at a massive scale and claimed credit for blocking 34 new natural gas plants.  Conservatives are under attack! Contact ABC News (818) 460-7477‚ CBS News (212) 975-3247 and NBC News (212) 664-6192 and demand they report on Michael Bloomberg’s planet-wide push to eliminate coal and make energy more expensive for everyone.

Rabid anti-Semites supporting Hamas terrorists gathered in Philadelphia‚ Pennsylvania Sunday night to call for genocide against Jews and assail a Jewish-owned restaurant. But while the liberal broadcast networks of ABC‚ CBS‚ and NBC had been more concerned with suggesting “islamophobia” was on the rise since the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7‚ they completely ignored the latest act of anti-Semitism in Philadelphia Monday morning. The evil crowd marched on the restaurant called Goldie in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood of the city. As noted by The Times of Israel‚ the restaurant was part of a chain “founded by Israeli-American celebrity chef Michael Solomonov.” In a video taken of the anti-Semitic rally‚ which was posted on X‚ the crowd chanted “Goldie‚ Goldie you can’t hide‚ we charge you with genocide.”     Fact check: False. The restaurant was not carrying out a genocide‚ nor was the building attempting to hide. CBS’s omission of the story from Monday’s CBS Mornings was particularly awful given the fact that the news outlet had previously promoted the same restaurant chain for supporting relief work in Israel after October 7. “Philadelphia-based Israeli Chef Michael Solomonov is helping to raise money for those injured in the war in Israel‚” wrote reporters Taleisha Newbill and Andi Korff in an online article. “Solomonov owns four restaurants in Philadelphia under the banner CookNSolo‚ including Zahav‚ Goldie‚ Laser Wolf and K'Far Cafe.” Adding: “Solomonov said he would be donating 100% of all sales Thursday to Friends of United Hatzalah. The nonprofit emergency medical service responds to emergencies across Israel free of charge.” CBS also published the addresses of all four restaurants‚ including Goldie’s. The incident Sunday night was serious enough for national and state political leaders to acknowledge it occurred and issue statements about it. White House spokesman Andrew Bates put out a statement declaring: “It is antisemitic and completely unjustifiable to target restaurants that serve Israeli food over disagreements with Israeli policy.” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D)‚ who is Jewish‚ condemned the anti-Semitic hate march on X: “Tonight in Philly‚ we saw a blatant act of antisemitism — not a peaceful protest. A restaurant was targeted and mobbed because its owner is Jewish and Israeli. This hate and bigotry is reminiscent of a dark time in history.” He went on to note that he was planning to meet with Solomonov soon.   I’ve communicated tonight with @Mike_Solomonov and his team at Goldie to share our support and Lori and I look forward to breaking bread there with them again soon. — Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) December 4‚ 2023   Philly Congressman Brendan Boyle said on X: “I can’t believe I even have to say this but targeting businesses simply because they’re Jewish-owned is despicable. Philadelphia stands against this sort of harassment and hate.” Nationally syndicated radio host Hugh Hewitt‚ who joined NBC in moderating the third GOP presidential debate last month‚ called what happened in Philly a “pogrom” and argued it should be a national story. “The explosion of anti-Semitic acts against Jewish Americans should be leading the news everywhere this morning‚ but legacy media is paralyzed b/c of a reflex that it must also cover hatred against Muslims‚” he said. He noted that the two attacks in Chicago‚ Illinois and Burlington‚ Vermont were “awful‚” but “The number of anti-Semitic acts is far greater. The answer: Cover them all‚ but don't force an equivalency that isn't there.”   The explosion of anti-Semitic acts against Jewish Americans should be leading the news everywhere this morning‚ but legacy media is paralyzed b/c of a reflex that it must also cover hatred against Muslims. There have been two awful attacks against Palestinian-Americans and… https://t.co/QQ6wgop0Pe — Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) December 4‚ 2023

NBC’s Today decided on Monday to further draw out the soap opera of now-ex-Congressman George Santos (R-NY) after he was overwhelmingly expelled Friday from Congress and use it as proof of “deep divisions within the GOP” and use it as a jumping off point to bash the impeachment inquiry of President Biden as a waste of time given there’s “no hard evidence” of malfeasance. Co-host Savannah Guthrie boasted in a tease of “Republicans facing more infighting on Capitol Hill” while Nobles bragged that Santos being forced out came “at a time when Congress has a lot to get done” and “revealed deep divisions within the GOP ahead of a busy sprint to the end of the year where Congress is hoping to pass several important pieces of legislation‚ including aid to Israel‚ Ukraine‚ and Taiwan‚ as well as a border security package.”     “Those negotiations are making little progress. So instead‚ House leadership is focusing on something else‚” Nobles huffed‚ referring to impeachment. After a soundbite from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) saying the House has “a duty to pursue the facts where they lead‚” Nobles argued Republicans are focusing on an impeachment inquiry that’s “already well underway” instead of topics such as Israel and the U.S. border. Nobles‚ of course‚ had to use his variation of “no evidence” to dismiss any and all inklings of Biden family corruption: “Republicans accusing the President and his family of corrupt business deals‚ but so far‚ they’ve produced no hard evidence to back up their claims. For his part‚ the President has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.” Take one look at stories this fall such as here and here from our Geoffrey Dickens and Nobles argument could be assigned a pants-on-fire ruling. For example‚ the House Oversight Committee said on November 1 that now-President Biden received $40‚000 laundered from brother Jim Biden via the Chinese Communist Party-linked CEFC China Energy. Another concerning find Nobles would want to look at is the fact that Biden used a pseudonym for over 82‚000 e-mails‚ including one about Hunter’s meeting with then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. In September‚ Dickens flagged earlier scandals that included Hunter Biden’s business partner Eric Schwerin as having visited the Obama White House 19 times and the allegation that Biden received $5 million from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. This‚ along with dozens of other revelations in recent years‚ have seen the light of day on NBC or any of the broadcast networks and their flagship morning and evening shows. Instead‚ Nobles resorted to more mockery: “That inquiry was launched without a....but now Republicans are having trouble enforcing high-profile subpoenas of witnesses‚ like the President’s son‚ Hunter Biden.” With a formal vote expected‚ Nobles insinuated it wouldn’t be because of anything discovered about Biden family corruption on a massive‚ global scale enveloping the current President. Instead‚ you see‚ Nobles proclaimed it’s to placate some in the House GOP: “The move to formalize impeachment comes as the right wing members and Speaker Mike Johnson’s ranks are getting increasingly antsy his leadership is not conservative enough.” To see the relevant transcript from December 4‚ click “expand.” NBC’s Today December 4‚ 2023 7:01 a.m. Eastern [TEASE] [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Republican Infighting] SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Republicans facing more infighting on Capitol Hill and on the campaign trail with the first presidential contest just six weeks away now. (....) 7:09 a.m. Eastern GUTHRIE: And‚ in the meantime‚ House Republicans are moving toward a vote on a formal impeachment inquiry of President Biden. (....) 7:09 a.m. Eastern RYAN NOBLES The fallout from his short time in office continues‚ at a time when congress has a lot to get done. (....) 7:10 a.m. Eastern [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Biden Impeachment Inquiry] NOBLES: But the vote that led to his removal revealed deep divisions within the GOP ahead of a busy sprint to the end of the year where Congress is hoping to pass several important pieces of legislation‚ including aid to Israel‚ Ukraine‚ and Taiwan‚ as well as a border security package. Those negotiations are making little progress. So instead‚ House leadership is focusing on something else. SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA) [on 11/29/23]: We have a duty to pursue the facts where they lead. NOBLES: The impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden is already well underway‚ with Republicans accusing the President and his family of corrupt business deals‚ but so far‚ they’ve produced no hard evidence to back up their claims. For his part‚ the President has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. That inquiry was launched without a vote under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy‚ but now Republicans are having trouble enforcing high-profile subpoenas of witnesses‚ like the President’s son‚ Hunter Biden. They acknowledge a formal vote would help move that forward. JOHNSON [on FNC’s Fox &; Friends Saturday‚ 12/02/23]: A formal impeachment inquiry vote on the floor will allow us to take it to the next necessary step and I think it’s something we have to do at this juncture. NOBLES: The move to formalize impeachment comes as the right wing members and Speaker Mike Johnson’s ranks are getting increasingly antsy his leadership is not conservative enough. And the Senate Majority Leader‚ Chuck Schumer‚ said that he plans to put the supplemental aid package on the floor‚ perhaps as early as this week‚ but if it does not include a border package that some Republicans can support‚ it likely cannot pass. Savannah? GUTHRIE: All right. Ryan‚ thank you.

The Liz Cheney book tour has begun‚ and it’s very pleasing to Democrats to hear her demand everyone vote against Republicans. On the second hour of Monday’s Today‚ co-host Savannah Guthrie gave Cheney nine-and-a-half minutes of book promotion -- for this "staunch conservative‚" as she put it. The first six minutes (and seven questions) were along the expected line of “please underline how dangerous Trump and his GOP enablers are.” This portion had all the “if Trump wins‚ democracy ends” bluster. It was more interesting when Guthrie pressed her on just how much she wants Democrats to win. “You said the Republican Party of today has made a choice‚ has not chosen the constitution. Do you think Democrats‚ it would be better for Democrats to regain control of Congress in 2024?” Cheney said yes. Some "staunch conservative‚" pushing for an all-Democrat Washington.   Guthrie underlined: "This is just crazy stuff! You are Liz Cheney. You are previously known as one of the most conservative members of Congress. You're the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. You are saying it would be safer if Republicans weren't in control of the House." Cheney said "I think what we have seen is that you cannot count on this group of elected Republicans to uphold their oath."  Guthrie pressed further: "You write that. You say every one of us‚ Republican‚ Democrat‚ independent must work and vote together. I will put it to you plainly. Will you vote for President Biden if Donald Trump is on the other side of the ticket?" Cheney said‚ " I will never vote for Donald Trump" and that she would "do whatever it takes to make sure that Donald Trump is defeated in 2024." Asked if that means she'd vote for Biden‚ she repeated‚ "I will do whatever it takes." Guthrie then noted Trump is beating Biden in the polls‚ not just nationally‚ but in battleground states. "Do you wish the Democrats had nominated someone other than Biden? Do you feel he is the best chance to defeat Donald Trump?" Cheney wouldn't answer that directly. Then came a question about persuadable voters:  GUTHRIE: I keep thinking when I was reading your book‚ about who is persuadable at this point? You call it a cult of personality on the Trump side. Okay‚ fine. So if you're in the cult‚ you're not going to vote for anyone except Trump. And then you have people on the other side‚ they will vote for the Democrats. This is a sliver of people who think‚ "okay‚ I may not have loved Trump. I'm tired of his antics‚ but I'm worried about the border. I'm worried about crime. And I think Biden is too old." What do you say to them that they think a Trump vote is -- it'll end up being all right. Maybe not pleasant but it'll be all right.  Cheney explicitly lectured: "I think that's a real problem‚ and the challenge is to make sure those people understand and recognize that a Trump vote is not acceptable....that choice can never be Donald Trump because a vote for Donald Trump may mean the last election that you ever get to vote in. " Welcome to democracy! 

House Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to sit idly and let Democrats attack Christians with bad-faith attacks.On Friday‚ Democratic strategist James Carville was speaking with Bill Maher when he offered his perspective on Christians like Johnson: They're "a bigger threat" than al-Qaeda."Mike Johnson and what he believes is one of the greatest threats we have today to the United States‚" Carville claimed. "This is a bigger threat than al-Qaeda to this country."Carville continued:And let me tell you something: The speaker of the House‚ they got probably at least two Supreme Court justices‚ maybe more‚ don’t kid yourself. People in the press have no idea who this guy is‚ how he was formed‚ what the threat is — and this is a fundamental threat to the United States. It is a fundamental thing. They don’t believe in the Constitution. They’ll tell you that. Mike Johnson himself says‚ "What is democracy but two wolves and a lamb having lunch?"That’s what they really‚ really‚ really believe. And to say‚ "Oh‚ come on‚ man. It’s just some crazy s***." No‚ no. They believe that. And they’re coming and they’ve been doing it forever. They’re funded. They’re funded. They’re relentless and‚ you know‚ they probably won’t win for a while but they might. And if they do‚ the whole country blows a gasket.Maher actually threw Carville a bone‚ asking if he was referring to "Christian nationalism‚" and Carville responded‚ "Absolutely." However‚ the way in which Carville pontificated about Johnson indicated that he was speaking about Christianity generally‚ not any form of nationalism per se. This is an important distinction because Johnson has never said he ascribes to any form of "Christian nationalism." Quite tellingly‚ that phrase is only used when the media and Democrats want to attack him. — (@) Johnson responded to Carville's attack on Sunday‚ exposing the absurdity of his claim."It's twisted and shameful that a leading Democrat strategist says millions of Christians in America are a greater threat than foreign terrorists who murdered more than 3‚000 Americans‚" Johnson said. "The Democratic Party should condemn this. But they won’t‚" he added. — (@) Meanwhile‚ it's not true‚ as Carville claimed‚ that Johnson does not believe in the Constitution. Johnson‚ in fact‚ worked as a constitutional lawyer prior to entering politics. Johnson has also repeatedly explained that he is not "trying to establish Christianity as the national religion or something." Instead‚ he describes himself as a "rule-of-law guy" who respects the "rule of law" and the "law of the land" — even when that law contradicts his Christian faith. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A disturbing new trend is on the rise in America. Women have begun selling adult content online — and leaving their hard-earned careers to do it full-time. Some teachers set out to simply supplement their income‚ and in some cases‚ what starts as a side gig becomes the main one. In one case‚ a teacher was placed on leave after her OnlyFans page was discovered. The teacher‚ Brianna Coppage‚ made $42‚000 a year as a teacher. She is now making close to $1 million on OnlyFans after just starting her account this summer. “I don’t want to fight the school district; I’m just ready for peace‚” Coppage said when she resigned. “I knew nothing was ever going to be the same if I went back‚ so this was the best option‚” she added. Even ex-supermodel Carol Alt‚ who is 63 years old‚ has set up an OnlyFans account. “I’m taking control of my image by joining OnlyFans‚” Alt said‚ noting that she’s “doing tastefully done nude photos.” “I’d be concerned that it wouldn’t be tasteful‚” Pat Gray mocks.“So I’m really comforted that she’s doing it tastefully.” OnlyFans creation has spread to the UFC now too. Fighter Ailin Perez started her own page and made $30‚000 in just four days after winning her fight over the weekend. That’s in stark contrast to the $24‚000 she made from winning the fight‚ which has taken years of practice to be able to do. “I’m taking advantage of OnlyFans because that’s where I’m making my money‚” Perez said. “My OnlyFans is not pornography‚” she continued‚ “It is art.” “Tells you where we are as a society and a civilization‚ doesn’t it?” Gray asks. Want more from Pat Gray?To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

A Chicago-area school district has begun offering segregated advanced-level courses for black and Latino students as part of a larger effort to combat racism‚ which it calls "the most devastating factor" in academic achievement disparities.Last spring‚ Evanston Township High School began offering several race-based higher-level courses‚ including algebra 2‚ pre-calculus‚ AP calculus‚ and advanced English. These so-called "affinity" courses do not just seemingly discriminate against white students but also other minority students‚ as AXLE — which stands for Advancing Excellence‚ Lifting Everyone — is geared toward black students‚ while Ganas — a Spanish term that the New York Post translated as "giving it all you got" — is designed for Latino students.Superintendent Marcus Campbell recently defended the programs‚ arguing that they provide "a different‚ more familiar setting to kids who feel really anxious about being in an AP class." And at least one black student who has participated in an affinity course confirmed that the segregated setting made him feel more comfortable. "In AP classes that are mostly white‚ I feel like if I answer wrong‚ I am representing all black kids. I stay quiet in those classes‚" the unnamed student said.The programs have also demonstrated marginal success‚ as "students of color" have recently performed better on AP tests than they had in years past‚ the Post reported. However‚ the Post did not specify which racial groups had begun performing better or whether students attending race-based AP courses had outperformed those taking AP courses with students of all races.Of ETHS' approximately 3‚600 students‚ 25% are black and 20% are Latino‚ but the affinity courses do not appear to be very popular among those groups. Just one out of every seven Latino students and one out of every nine black students at ETHS has taken an affinity course.Since the Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954‚ federal law has strictly prohibited racial segregation in public schools‚ and many legal scholars have cried foul about the practices in Evanston‚ as well as similar practices in Minneapolis‚ Seattle‚ San Francisco‚ and Oakland. David Bernstein of George Mason Law School called such race-based courses "blatantly unconstitutional." "There is no way that could possibly pass legal muster if someone sued‚" he added.However‚ the Wall Street Journal indicated in its reporting late last month that affinity courses may not violate the law because they are voluntary. "Federal antidiscrimination laws prevent public schools from mandatorily separating students by race‚ but education lawyers say optional courses can comply with the law‚" the outlet wrote‚ according to the Washington Free Beacon.The district also noted that affinity courses are no longer "restricted" to members of certain racial groups. "If push came to shove and you look at the master schedule‚ and a kid needs calculus that period and there’s nothing else that works and that kid is white‚ of course we’ll put them in the affinity class‚" Superintendent Campbell claimed‚ focusing on the logistics of student scheduling and overcrowding rather than issue of racial discrimination. ETHS course descriptions currently say that affinity classes are "open to all students" but are "intended to support students who identify as 'latinx' or 'black‚'" the Evanstonian reported back in August.The issue also extends beyond race-based classes. The Evanston Township school board has made ending overall disparities in racial achievement outcomes its stated goal: "Recognizing that racism is the most devastating factor contributing to the diminished achievement of students‚ ETHS will strive to eliminate the predictability of academic achievement based upon race."This move by the school board should come as no surprise‚ as the city of Evanston has made several attempts in the last few years to eradicate racism by governmental fiat. In 2019‚ the city council declared Evanston to be "an anti-racist city." Two years later‚ Evanston became the first city in America to approve reparation payments for black people.Despite these overtures‚ black students have still struggled academically. "Our black students are‚ for lack of a better word — and I hate using this word‚ but they are at the bottom and they are being outperformed constantly‚" school board vice president Monique Parsons said last month. "It’s not good. We’re always chasing this and trying to figure it out."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!