Detroit, Michigan – The lead singer of the iconic Motown band Four Tops, Alexander Morris, is suing a hospital in southeast Michigan for racial discrimination after he was allegedly mistreated when seeking medical help. Morris, who is Black, claims that hospital staff at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital wrongly assumed he was mentally ill, leading to a delayed diagnosis and mistreatment.
According to the lawsuit, Morris arrived at the hospital in April 2023 with symptoms of cardiac distress but was denied medical treatment. Instead of receiving proper care, he was subjected to a psychiatric evaluation and placed in a restraining jacket. It was only after showing a video of himself performing at the Grammys that Morris was released from restraints and received a proper diagnosis.
Racial disparities in healthcare access have been a long-standing issue, with many experts pointing to the higher rates of death among Black Americans for various diseases. Morris is seeking at least $75,000 in damages, alleging that he was misdiagnosed and mistreated due to his race by the hospital, a nurse, and a security guard.
The Four Tops, known for their contributions to Detroit’s soul music scene in the ’60s, have continued to perform with founding member Duke Fakir. The lawsuit claims that hospital employees wrongly assumed Morris was mentally ill and prioritized a psychiatric evaluation over his urgent medical needs.
Despite the hospital’s statement emphasizing their commitment to patient care and dignified treatment for all, Morris alleges that he faced racial discrimination during his visit. The lawsuit details instances where Morris was denied proper medical attention and subjected to mistreatment based on his race, resulting in a delayed diagnosis and additional health complications.
In a disturbing incident cited in the lawsuit, a security guard allegedly made derogatory remarks to Morris based on his race, further exacerbating the singer’s ordeal. Morris contends that he not only experienced a lower standard of care but also faced discriminatory treatment throughout his hospital stay.
As Morris seeks justice and accountability for the alleged discrimination he faced, the case sheds light on the ongoing challenges of racial bias in healthcare and the importance of ensuring equitable access to medical care for all individuals. Through his lawsuit, Morris aims to bring attention to the systemic issues that continue to impact marginalized communities seeking healthcare services.