A white Tuskegee University professor is suing the historically Black college for age and race discrimination for allegedly paying him less than his colleagues.

Physics professor Dr. Marshall Burns filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the prestigious Alabama university on July 19. According to The Montogomery Advertiser, Burns reportedly makes an estimated $18,000 to $30,000 less than some of his younger counterparts.

He has been with the university since the late 1970s. Burns started as an assistant professor in 1976, according to the lawsuit and was then promoted to full professor in 1980.

In the lawsuit, he claims he was not paid fairly because of his race.

The “level of scholarship and his white race, helped Tuskegee University succeed in obtaining additional funding from more conservative legislators,” the suit stated.

The Daily Beast reports he has a current salary of $60,500 which is equal to what associate professors make. Younger full-time professors reportedly make roughly $78,000 and $90,000 a year. The tenured professor requested a raise 12 times and was declined all 12 times.

“Notwithstanding Dr. Burns’ significant contributions to Tuskegee University, and his stellar help in getting it more money, Tuskegee has ungratefully kept [Burns] at an associate level of pay for his entire academic career,” the complaint claimed.

During an interview with The Daily Beast, Burns wanted to clarify his racial discrimination claims. He never experienced discrimination while on campus and did not want to take legal action, but he "felt no other choice" than to file the suit.

“I’ve had what I consider to be exceptional students,” Burns told The Advertiser. “At Tuskegee, I’ve had classes with students who are go-getters and very smart. That’s what gives me the enthusiasm to teach.”

Over the duration of his nearly 50-year career, if the school gave him regular raises, Burns said he would have earned an additional $400,000 over his career.

“I’ve suffered financially, emotionally,” Burns said. “I kept trying to think of what I could do to make them realize that I deserve full-professor pay.”

Marshall-Burns

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week