Actress Phylicia Rashad is facing criticism over her support for Bill Cosby and his release from prison on June 30. As Sister 2 Sister reported, Cosby was released after his conviction was overturned because of a technicality by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Cosby was released after serving two of a three to 10-year sentence for drugging and assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004.
Rashad Tweeted support for her old friend and co-star’s release but was quickly roasted on social media for doing so. Even worse for Rashad, alumni and students of Howard University, Rashad’s alma mater, are demanding that Rashad be dismissed from her new post as dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University, according to the Daily Beast.
“FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted—a miscarriage of justice is corrected,” wrote Rashad.
You dropped this pic.twitter.com/OVs9y1ajsh
— Mya_cooling (@JamyaYoung1) July 2, 2021
Many sexual assault victims were offended by her Tweet, and calls for her to be terminated from Howard quickly followed, along with the hashtag #ByePhylicia. Rashad eventually deleted her Tweet supporting Cosby and posted a statement supporting survivors of sexual assault. Howard University responded as well with a Tweet denouncing Rashad’s initial support of Cosby.
Howard alum Nylah Burton said she was disappointed but not entirely surprised by The Cosby Show actress’ statement.
“I am learning not to expect anything from people when it comes to this issue of supporting survivors and sexual assault. I’ve just learned that people are just kind of shi**y, and especially the more people are empowered. So, when I saw her tweet, I honestly was not surprised. I don’t know if that’s the right thing to say, maybe I’m supposed to say that I’m shocked, disgusted, and can never imagine someone from my lovely university behaving this way. But that’s just not true. It didn’t surprise me. I call for her removal, whether or not I’d have the energy to fight for it is a whole other thing,” she said.
— Howard University (@HowardU) July 1, 2021
Bye Phylicia.
— Maya is editing ✨✍🏾 (@mayaameyaw) July 2, 2021
Phylicia what are you thinking!!! I don’t know you but to say this was terribly wrong. EVERYONE knew what he was doing back then. How could you NOT! Get your umbrella sista here comes the shit shower. I am outraged that he has been released. Yes he is an old ass guilty man! pic.twitter.com/9mHtuEYLgk
— Janet Hubert (@OGJanetHubert) June 30, 2021
Phylicia Rashad should have just shut the hell up about Bill Cosby. No where did this release absolve that rapist of guilt. She might have considered what her comments did to all of Cosby’s victims. An insensitive remark at best; a stupid, idiotic opinion at the worst.
— American Veteran (@amvetsupport) July 2, 2021
I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.
— Phylicia Rashad (@PhyliciaRashad) June 30, 2021
no the fuck it ain’t your heartfelt wish Ms. Rashad. You applauded your rapist ass friend being released from jail. Healing looks like justice. Your friend drugged and abused over 50 WOMEN. I’m so disappointed. smh
— ASuckerForYourSunDress (@TheMrMilan) June 30, 2021
While Rashad’s Tweet was a horrible idea, some feel that taking a well-earned position from a 73-year-old Black woman and icon like Rashad in the name of supporting women is going too far.
If Ms. Phylicia Rashad is fired from her position at Howard University, I wish nothing but hell on earth for those BULLYING an elderly black woman. Where are the black celebrities denouncing this lynchmob at? They have all of you black celebrities BUCKBROKEN! Shame on it ALL!
— Nicole’s View 🇺🇲 (@BLKLiberation84) July 2, 2021
Bye Phylicia? Hell naw. Why we must support our queen. https://t.co/q50BG7PvkQ pic.twitter.com/ZHQNSlCU9G
— Dwann B 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@dwannb) July 2, 2021
You don’t have to agree with Ms. Rashad but to actively go out and have people strip her of her hard work all because you don’t like what she said is Nazi behavior. Disgusting!
— Nicole’s View 🇺🇲 (@BLKLiberation84) July 2, 2021
The award-winning actress was named the new dean Howard University’s College of Fine Arts on May 12.
