The neo-Marxist anti-racism cult better known as Black Lives Matter has seen tremendous success in the weeks following the unjust death of George Floyd in convincing swaths of the American public that the U.S. is a country rife with “systemic racism.” Bowing to social media pressure campaigns launched by an online army of “social justice” agitators, many American businesses have dutifully signaled their “woke” virtue, hoping to avoid becoming the next target of the cancel-culture mob.

In this intolerant, impatient, and illiberal environment, it comes as little surprise that many of America’s private schools, ironically often the source of this “woke” ideology, are now finding themselves pressured to go even farther down the rabbit hole and become full-fledged indoctrination centers for the anti-racism cult. Of course, the “woke” cult defines “racist” as any unapproved political perspective or opinion.

“Swaths of private secondary schools have since pronounced support for Black Lives Matter, or at least its principles,” reports the Washington Examiner. “Many came out with ‘anti-racism’ statements last month, following accusations from some alumni of color on 'Blackat[name of school]‘ Instagram accounts, claiming they experienced instances of racism during their time as students at the institutions. Schools then apologized to black former or current students who experienced 'systemic racism’ and described actions to eliminate ‘white supremacy.’ All the while expanding initiatives related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and promoting ‘social justice.’”

One example of this growing effort to indoctrinate students comes from George Washington University, where students read Conservatism and Racism, and Why in America They Are the Same as part of the school’s “Solidarity Resource Syllabus.” The book states, “Conservatism as a philosophy and ideology … is and always has been hostile to the aspirations of Africans in America, incompatible with the struggle for freedom and equality.” The author of the book, San Fransisco State University professor Robert Smith, writes, “Repeatedly I was asked, ‘Are you saying that conservatism is racism, that all conservatives are racist? Aren’t there black conservatives? Are they racists?’ … My answer to most of these questions was a qualified ‘yes.’” In other words, “wrong” political opinions now equate to “racism.”

Fortunately, some colleges are resisting. Michigan’s Hillsdale College is a great example of a principled stand. Others should follow this example.

By painting as “racist” all ideologies that don’t conform to a Marxist vision of equity and justice — insinuating that free thinkers, and not the mass-murderous tyrants of communism, are immoral — the Left hopes to end all debate and critical questioning of its agenda. This explains why so many universities are fast devolving into centers of leftist indoctrination rather than places of genuine free thought, inquiry, and education. America is not reckoning with racism; America is being hoodwinked by Marxist revolutionaries.