Motown singer alleges profiling at hospital
Four Tops member says treatment was delayed, put in straight jacket
The lead singer of the Four Tops plans to sue a Warren hospital on allegations the staff racially profiled him, delayed treatment and put him in a straight jacket.
Alexander Morris, 62, of Southfield, said Wednesday in an interview he and his wife were visiting their daughter in Sterling Heights on April 7 when he began experiencing chest pains and shortness of breath. He was taken by ambulance to the emergency department at Ascension’s Macomb-Oakland Hospital at 12 Mile and Hoover roads. It’s campus stretches to the Warren-Madison Heights border.
He informed the staff he was a member of the Four Tops because he was concerned about his safety as there were some problems and threats against the group in the past. After waiting 1-1/2 hours with no attention, he said he was referred for admission as a “psych” patient, placed in a straight jacket and at one point was told by a white security guard to “sit your Black ass down.”
The three-hour ordeal ended when a nurse agreed to watch a video of him performing, after which his mental status was removed and he was given a $25 Meijer gift card. He said he was hospitalized for five days during which he suffered three seizures that he hadn’t suffered since a heart surgery to install a defibrillator over two years ago.
Morris said he harbors “no ill will” against the staff but their behavior must change because, “I’ve never been so dehumanized in my life.”
“I was profiled,” he added. “As a Black man, my life was only worth $25. I’m more hurt than anything.”
He said he went public with his experience to shed light on what could happen to people who may not be as fortunate to be in his position.
“It makes me wonder how many other people who don’t have a voice have gone through this,” he said. “It wasn’t right, no matter my status. If I’m brought in and I’m sick, that should be their first priority. Harm was being done because of their careless actions.
“I almost didn’t make it home that day. I have a wife and am a father of two daughters. I was that long before I was a Four Top.”
Ascension said in a statement: “The health, safety and well-being of our patients, associates and community members remains our top priority. We re
main committed to honoring human dignity and acting with integrity and compassion for all persons and the community. We do not condone racial discrimination of any kind. We are unable to provide details on cases under investigation.”
Morris’ attorney, Maurice Davis, said a federal lawsuit also claiming negligence, unlawful imprisonment and medical malpractice will be filed within the
next few weeks.
Morris, aka “Lex,” joined the Four Tops in 2019 and tours with original member Duke Fakir, 87, as well as Ronnie McNeir and Lawrence “Roquel” Payton Jr., son of original member Lawrence Payton.
Morris said the group will resume touring in May.
The legendary group began as the Four Aims in 1954, later changed its name and signed with Motown in 1964. It produced such hits as “Reach Out (I’ll be there),” “Baby I Need Your Loving” and “It’s the Same Old Song.”