The frontman of the renowned Four Tops band reported an unsettling experience at a hospital where he was restrained and subjected to a mental evaluation after medical staff doubted his identity as a member of the iconic Motown group.
Alexander Morris, who assumed the lead singer role in 2019, sought medical attention at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren, Detroit, last April due to chest and breathing issues.
In a lawsuit filed against the hospital, Morris, aged 53, accused the staff of racial bias and mistreatment after they failed to believe his claims of being a famous singer and proceeded to confine him in a straitjacket and order a psychiatric assessment.
As per the federal lawsuit in the Eastern District of Michigan, Morris, exhibiting clear signs of cardiac distress, was placed on oxygen upon arrival at the emergency room.
Despite his attempts to clarify his identity as a member of the Four Tops to a nurse and a security guard, they dismissed his assertions, leading to a doctor ordering a psychological examination and his subsequent restraint for over an hour.
From left: Roquel Payton, Alexander Morris, Ronnie McNeir, and Duke Fakir of the Four Tops perform at the All In Music & Arts Festival in 2022
Expressing his ordeal, Morris stated through his legal representatives, “Being in a medical crisis, restrained, deprived of oxygen, and disregarded by medical staff due to my skin colour was terrifying.”
He highlighted the racial profiling he encountered and how it jeopardized his health, given his significant cardiac history, resulting in a delay in appropriate medical care.
Despite offering to provide identification to verify his identity, Morris faced derogatory remarks from a white security guard and was ignored when requesting oxygen and his belongings back to seek treatment elsewhere.
The situation only resolved when Morris’s wife intervened, confirming his identity as a prominent Motown artist to the staff and providing evidence of his performances at the Grammys.
Following this revelation, the constraints were removed, and Morris was given back access to oxygen. The hospital attempted to appease the situation with a $25 (£19.50) gift card, which Morris declined.
Currently pursuing damages exceeding $75,000 (£58,600) through a jury trial, Morris has been the lead vocalist for Four Tops, known for hits like Baby, I Need Your Loving and I Can’t Help Myself.
The band, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has showcased changing lineups over the years.
The hospital responded, stating, “We are dedicated to upholding human dignity, integrity, and compassion for all individuals and the community. We denounce any form of racial discrimination and refrain from commenting on ongoing legal matters.”
