Marxist indoctrination in schools: The real threat behind rising political violence

• The increase in political violence is exemplified by incidents such as the killings of Iryna Zarutska and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, illustrating a troubling trend of normalizing violence as a form of “justice.”
• Marxist principles, including concepts from “The Communist Manifesto” and Herbert Marcuse, have infiltrated schools, fostering a belief system that divides society into “oppressors” and “oppressed,” and justifies political violence as a response to perceived victimization.
• The roots of this issue date back to the early 20th century when Marxist ideas began to dominate academic institutions. This ideological zeal can lead to severe social conflicts, as seen in the Cyprus civil war, where generations were taught to view neighbors as enemies.
• Schools are teaching students to view political opponents as enemies, fostering an “us vs. them” mentality. This mindset not only simplifies classroom management but also prepares students to participate in cultural and political warfare, rationalizing violence as morally justifiable.
• To combat this, schools must teach virtue over ideological frameworks, leaders must consistently denounce political violence, and the community should encourage cooperation over conflict. These actions are crucial for fostering a generation committed to defending rather than destroying their neighbors, ensuring political violence remains consigned to history.

Political violence is on the rise, and recent events such as the killing of Iryna Zarutska and the assassination of Charlie Kirk illustrate a disturbing trend. These incidents are not isolated acts of random aggression but are rooted in a broader ideological framework — one that justifies violence for the sake of “justice.” The words of Zarutska’s killer, “I got that white girl,” and the mindset of Kirk’s assassin reflect a deeply ingrained belief system that normalizes political violence. This framework is not limited to extremists but is being taught in schools — a place where such moral corruption should be least expected.

The Marxist framework in schools

From the “Communist Manifesto” to Herbert Marcuse’s “Repressive Tolerance,” Marxist ideology has long argued that class warfare is the primary driver of societal conflict. This logic extends into modern identity politics, where society is divided into “oppressors” and “oppressed,” and political violence is framed as a form of justice. In classrooms, teachers introduce these concepts, sometimes with the intent of fostering critical thinking, but often at the expense of instilling virtue. Students are made to feel clever and heroic for seeing through the perceived corruption of the world, while opponents are seen as enemies.

The roots of this problem stretch back to the early 20th century, where Marxist principles began to infiltrate academic institutions. During the 1960s, American universities became hotbeds for leftist ideologies, with thinkers like Marcuse advocating for the suppression of dissent. This set the stage for today’s identity politics, couched in ‘social justice’ arguments, where any societal issue is reduced to a conflict between victors and victims. History shows that such ideological zeal can lead to devastating consequences, as seen in conflicts like the Cyprus civil war, where generations were taught to see their neighbors as enemies.

Normalizing political violence: The impact on students

The normalization of violence is perhaps the most insidious aspect of Marxist teaching. In classrooms, dividing the world into “oppressors” and “oppressed” creates an “us vs. them” mentality. This dynamic not only makes classroom management easier for teachers but also transforms students into soldiers in a cultural war. They are taught to see their classmates, political opponents and even parents as enemies. When students internalize this worldview, they become less likely to listen to anyone outside their immediate ideological circle. The result is a generation that can rationalize and even praise political violence.

Case study: The murder of Iryna Zarutska and the assassination of Charlie Kirk are tragic examples of how this ideological framework can manifest. Zarutska’s killer was not driven by personal rage but by a belief that his act of violence was justifiable. Similarly, Kirk’s assassin was motivated not by Kirk’s personal behavior but by a broader political ideology. These incidents are symptomatic of a larger trend: the normalization of violence as a means to achieve political goals. It is clear that the seeds of such violence are being planted in our schools under the guise of “equity” and “critical thinking.”

Ending political violence: The path forward

The crisis we face is not just about the tools of violence — knives, guns, or social media. It is about the underlying ideology that justifies it. To address this issue, we must first acknowledge the role that Marxist frameworks play in our schools. Youth are being taught that it is okay to see classmates and political opponents as enemies, and that silencing or punishing them is a form of justice. This mindset must be reversed.

Proposed solutions:

1. Reform education: Schools must return to teaching virtue — encouraging students to love truth, hate injustice and direct their courage against genuine threats to the common good.
2. Clear messaging: Leaders and educators must consistently and unequivocally condemn political violence, ensuring that students understand that such actions are not just morally wrong but counterproductive.
3. Community involvement: Parents and community leaders must be more involved in shaping the values and beliefs of young people, reinforcing the importance of cooperation over conflict.

Acting now to secure the future

The road ahead is challenging, but the stakes are too high to ignore. If we fail to address the root causes of political violence, we risk losing the virtues that have sustained our society for generations. By removing Marxist frameworks from our schools and recommitting to the ideals of virtue and truth, we can foster a generation of young people who are ready to defend their neighbors — not destroy them. It is time for introspection and action, not just for the sake of our children but for the future of our Republic. Let us work together to ensure that political violence is consigned to history, where it belongs.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Threads.com

Heritage.org