A Michigan professor claims he has been 'systematically discriminated against for 40 years for being a white man', in a letter...
A Michigan professor claims he has been 'systematically discriminated against for 40 years for being a white man', in a letter demanding an apology from his university over their new anti-racism policies.
Jeffrey Burl wrote to his employers, Michigan Technological University, after they passed a resolution criticizing 'anti-Blackness and systemic racism' in both the college and society.
In his letter Burl, who is an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, writes: 'I find this resolution particularly offensive because I, as a white male, have been systematically discriminated against for 40 years.
'Simple statistical analysis will demonstrate that Michigan Tech's hiring practices are biased against white males.'
His message has sparked outrage among some students, with Michigan Tech alumni Timothy Ward creating a petition to demanding he be fired for 'ignorance and hate'.
Burl goes on in his letter, sent in January,: 'At Michigan Tech, I have seen no signs (in my 28 years here) of discrimination against women and people of color.'
Jeffrey Burl says he has been 'systematically discriminated against for 40 years for being a white man', in a letter demanding an apology from his university over their new anti-racism policies
Burl had been responding to new resolutions which say that the university 'explicitly and loudly denounces white supremacy, anti-blackness, systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, and other oppressive and intolerant behaviors, actions, and speech'.
The resolution added that 'no student should be able to earn an undergraduate degree...without having had a sound education concerning the historical and current manifestations and operations of anti-Blackness and systemic racism in American culture.'
It also states: 'Michigan Technological University has taken an aggressive stance in response to the global Coronavirus pandemic, unfortunately, little action has been taken to address the national racism pandemic and ongoing white supremacist discourse present in our community and on our campus.
'Our community is experiencing ongoing harm demonstrated by regularly occurring hate motivated events and rhetoric.
'Therefore, be it Resolved, the University Senate of Michigan Technological University recognizes antiBlackness and systemic racism as primary ills of American society, fully on par with the ills of poverty, disease, and ignorance.'
But Burl, who has worked at the university for 28 years, argues: 'Women and people of color should be encouraged and given fair access and opportunity.
'But, once someone goes to college (I have little experience outside of this group) white males are systematically discriminated against both at Michigan Tech and in the nation at large.
'I believe that anyone who is open-minded and honest will agree with this assertion.'
Jeffrey Burl wrote to his employers, Michigan Technological University, after they passed a resolution criticizing 'anti-Blackness and systemic racism' in both the college and society
Burl then goes on to list instances where he says he has been discriminated against, including applying for jobs and grants.
He writes: 'Note that local students (both genders) are discriminated against solely because they are white.
'Many of our local students are first generation college student s and come from poor backgrounds.
'Singling out on [sic] group for contempt, as your resolution does, is wrong and racist.'
His message has sparked outrage among some students, with Michigan Tech, pictured, alumni Timothy Ward creating a petition to demanding he be fired for 'ignorance and hate'
The petition calling for his firing had reached more than 1,500 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon.
It states: 'This kind of ignorance and hate does not belong at Michigan Tech nor any institution of higher learning. This petition is calling for his immediate termination.'
A second Michigan Tech professor, Jaroslaw Drelich, said the resolution 'pushed a leftist narrative'.
Michigan Technological University President Richard Koubek wrote to students in the wake of the letters to say: 'As president of Michigan Tech, I apologize to those of you who have been hurt and I want you to know that it's important to me that you feel safe, valued, and heard here at Michigan Tech.'
The university told Michigan Bridge in a statement: 'While Michigan Tech doesn't comment on personnel matters, it understands that open discourse and rigorous inquiry is the backbone of both the educational and research process.'
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