Bill Cosby’s responds to rumors Phylicia Rashad fired from her role as dean at Howard University
Bill Cosby demands Howard University RETURN donations he made after students called for on-screen wife Phylicia Rashad to be fired as a dean because she celebrated his release
- Bill Cosby, 83, has tweeted his support of his one-time costar, Phylicia Rashad, 73, who had praised his release from prison last week
- Cosby’s support came after he retweeted a posting by singer and actress Stephanie Mills who in turn voiced her support for Rashad
- Cosby’s support for Rashad comes after she wrote an email to Howard University students and parents apologizing for her earlier supportive tweet
- ‘I offer my most sincere apology. I have since removed that upsetting tweet, ‘ she wrote. ‘I intend to earn your trust and your forgiveness.’
- She was condemned for tweeting ‘FINALLY! A terrible wrong has been righted’ in the wake of Cosby’s release on Wednesday
- Rashad is dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts
- Howard condemned its dean’s words – but did not say if she would face action
Bill Cosby has tweeted his support of his one-time costar, Phylicia Rashad, whose position as dean of Howard University could be in jeopardy after she publicly supported his release from prison this week.
The hashtag ‘ByePhilicia’ began trending after the star – who played Cosby’s wife Clair Huxtable in The Cosby Show between 1984 and 1992 – tweeted: ‘FINALLY! A terrible wrong is being righted – a miscarriage of justice is corrected.’
On Sunday afternoon, Cosby retweeted a posting by singer and actress Stephanie Mills who in turn voiced her support for Rashad writing: ‘I love you @phyliciarashad. If it’s true that Howard University wants to terminate her Position because they feel her comments about Mr. Cosby were insensitive, then they should give back the millions of dollars that he donated to the university.’
Cosby, himself, added his support tweeting: ‘Thank you @iamstephaniemills your voice has always been powerful!’
Bill Cosby, 83, has tweeted his support of his one-time costar, Phylicia Rashad, 73, left, who had praised his release from prison last week. His support came via a tweet from actress Stephanie Mills, right
Cosby’s support came after he retweeted a posting by singer and actress Stephanie Mills, pictured, who in turn voiced her support for Rashad
Hours later, Cosby followed up with a second tweet essentially justifying his release: ‘DUE PROCESS IS NOT A TECHNICALITY. THE MEDIA CAN’T SILENCE THE TRUTH,’ he wrote.
It’s not known how much exactly Cosby has donated to Howard University over the years, however the comedian has been known for his generosity in giving money to historically black universities, of which Howard is one.
Cosby famously gave Spelman College in Atlanta $20 million in 1998 and has received an honorary degree from Howard.
Cosby’s support of Rashad comes after the actress ultimately apologized for expressing her public support following his release from prison.
Bill Cosby is pictured on Thursday as he leaves his home in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania to fly out to see his wife in Massachusetts
Cosby later justified his release on Sunday tweeting ‘Due process is not a technicality. The media can’t silence the truth’
Students at Howard began campaigning for her to be fired as a dean at the historically black school.
Rashad, 73, also shared her thoughts on Instagram, after Cosby was freed three years into a 10 year sentence when his conviction for indecent assault was overturned.
But Rashad, who has been dean of the College of Fine Arts at the university since May, issued a groveling apology.
It remains to be seen whether Rashad’s position at Howard is in jeopardy, but the university quickly distanced itself from her comments.
Phylicia Rashad was condemned by students at Howard University in Washington DC – where she is a dean – over a tweet supporting the release of Bill Cosby
Rahsad sent this tweet after Cosby was released Wednesday – and condemnation soon followed
Phylicia Rashad apologized for her earlier Bill Cosby tweet in letter to Howard University families promising to become ‘stronger ally’
On Friday she sent a letter apologizing, saying she plans to spend the next few weeks engaging in ‘active listening’ and participating in ‘trainings’ to help her better reflect Howard’s ‘protocol and conduct’ in the future, and become a ‘stronger ally to sexual assault survivors.
‘I am sorry. I intend to earn your trust and your forgiveness,’ Rashad wrote.
‘My remarks were in no way directed towards survivors of sexual assault. I vehemently oppose sexual violence and find no excuse for such behavior.
‘Over the next few weeks, I plan to engage in active listening and participate in trainings to not only reinforce University protocol and conduct, but also to learn how I can become a stronger ally to sexual assault survivors and everyone who has suffered at the hands of an abuser.’
Rashad deleted the offending tweet, and issued this apology before writing a letter to Howard University where she is Dean of the College of Fine Arts
Howard also shared a statement disavowing its dean’s words – but did not say if she would be disciplined
Some of the harshest critics called for Rashad to be removed from her post, saying her apparent indifference to serial sexual assault allegations made her unfit for a position of authority over students.
Rashad’s support for Cosby is not new. She had publicly defended him during his years-long legal battles. But the rise of the #Metoo movement and her new position at a prominent educational institution have contributed to the intense backlash as Cosby went free.
Cosby was released from prison Wednesday after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his sexual assault conviction, ruling that Cosby’s agreement with the previous district attorney in 2005 should have prevented him from being charged in the 2018 case.
After the ruling, Rashad’s tweeted of support drew an immediate online response with a few expressing support but many others attacking Rashad for defending a man accused of drugging and raping multiple women over a period of decades.
Rashad is pictured in the blue dress alongside Bill Cosby in hit sitcom The Cosby Show, which ran from 1984 to 1992
There were few supporters on Twitter who shared Rashad’s positive sentiments over Cosby’s release
Hours after her tweet last Wednesday, Rashad sent out a clarification, stating her sympathy for all survivors of sexual assault but not mentioning Cosby or his case.
‘I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth,’ she wrote. ‘Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.’
In a statement, Howard acknowledged Rashad’s clarification and said her initial tweet ‘lacked sensitivity towards survivors of sexual assault. Personal positions of University leadership do not reflect Howard University’s policies. We will continue to advocate for survivors fully and advocate their right to be heard.’
Rashad is a prominent Howard alumnus, and her appointment as fine arts dean was hailed as a homecoming, with Howard Provost Anthony K. Wutoh stating that her ‘passion for the arts and student success makes her a perfect fit for this role.’
Cosby, 83, had served nearly three years of a three-to-10-year sentence for drugging and violating Temple University sports administrator Andrea Constand in 2004. After his release, he tweeted that he has always maintained his innocence and thanked his fans, supporters and friends who stood by him.
Cosby, 83, was released from prison in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, two years into his 10 year sentence after having his sexual assault conviction overturned
