It’s been days since Phylicia Rashad first made headlines for publicly supporting the prison release of her longtime friend/embattled ‘Cosby Show’ co-star Bill Cosby, but calls continue for the veteran actress to step down as Dean of Fine Arts at Howard University – a gig she just started July 1.
The 73-year-old’s initial commentary – deemed by many to be ‘insensitive to sexual assault survivors’ – took her name to trending status on social media, even earning jeers from the university itself as well as the likes of fans and celebrities including fellow iconic TV mom Janet Hubert (of ‘Fresh Prince’).
Despite following the backlash by issuing two apologetic statements, Rashad’s been granted little sympathy from the court of public opinion – a condition that’s inspired Cosby to enter the chat to defend his one-time TV wife.
Look inside to see what he said:
After taking to Twitter to co-sign R&B icon Stephanie Mills‘ suggestion the university refund Cosby’s financial donations if they buckle to pressure to terminate Rashad (as seen above), Cosby – via his rep Andrew Wyatt – also took to ‘Variety’ to state:
“Howard University you must support ones Freedom of Speech (Ms. Rashad), which is taught or suppose to be taught everyday at that renowned law school, which resides on your campus.”
The 83-year-old entertainment legend finished his statement by comparing the backlash to the insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol in January.
“This mainstream media are the Insurrectionists, who stormed the Capitol. Those same Media Insurrectionists are trying to demolish the Constitution of these United State of America on this Independence Day,” Cosby wrote. “NO TECHNICALITY — IT’S A VIOLATION OF ONES RIGHTS & WE THE PEOPLE STAND IN SUPPORT OF MS. PHYLICIA RASHAD.”
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As of time reported, reps from Howard have not responded to Bill’s statement.