A white physics professor at Tuskegee University, a historically black school in Alabama, is reportedly suing the university for racial discrimination, alleging that he has been paid at a lower rate than other professors due to his race.
The Montgomery Advertiser reported Tuesday that Marshall Burns, who is listed on Tuskegee’s website as a full professor, claimed his pay scale has been set for years at an associate professor rate, causing him to lose out on as much as $400,000 in missed wages.
{mosads}At a press conference on Tuesday, Burns reportedly told news outlets that he had asked to have his pay raised to the level of other professors a dozen times before filing his lawsuit.
“I’m not a greedy person,” Burns said, according to the Advertiser. “I applaud people who are successful. They’ve earned it. I think I’ve earned it, but I haven’t received it. I have tried and tried and tried everything I know.”
“I’ve had what I consider to be exceptional students,” he reportedly continued. “At Tuskegee, I’ve had classes with students who are go-getters and very smart. That’s what gives me enthusiasm to teach.”
Burns reportedly plans to keep teaching physics at the university while his lawsuit is adjudicated. The university declined to comment on the matter to the Advertiser, citing “legal and personnel concerns.”