Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is spearheading a 17-state coalition urging the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a lower court ruling that dismissed a lawsuit challenging mandatory workplace training accused of promoting racial discrimination.
The case, Young v. Colorado Department of Corrections, centers on former correctional officer Joshua Young, who alleges that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training at the Colorado Department of Corrections created a racially hostile work environment. Young claims the training unfairly singled out white employees, portraying them in a consistently negative light and ultimately prompting him to resign for his own safety.
In an amicus brief filed Tuesday, Knudsen and attorneys general from 16 other states argue that the training sessions violated federal civil rights law and fostered division rather than unity.
“When employers train their employees to treat people differently based on race—or to believe certain races possess inherently negative traits—hostility and division in the workplace increase,” Knudsen wrote. “Even infrequent training can create a pervasive race-based hostility.”
The coalition contends the DEI programs used by the Colorado agency rely on racial stereotyping and scapegoating, allegedly labeling all Caucasians as racists and perpetuators of white supremacy. According to court filings, Young was told during training that those who deny their racism are simply “fragile” and unwilling to accept the truth.
The brief argues such messaging violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It further claims the training contradicts core constitutional principles of equal treatment under the law.
“Our Constitution and statutory law require that individuals be treated as individuals without regard to race or color,” the brief states, citing a Supreme Court precedent: “The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.”
Young is seeking a court order affirming his civil rights were violated, barring the continued use of the training materials, and compelling his reinstatement as a correctional officer.
Joining Montana in the brief were attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and the Arizona Legislature.
By: DNU staff