Phylicia Rashad Faces Calls To Step Down As Dean Over Bill Cosby Support

Phylicia Rashad is facing calls to step down from her position as dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts after voicing her support for Bill Cosby.

The actress, who played Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, sparked outrage on Wednesday, when she applauded the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to vacate her former co-star’s sexual assault conviction and release him from prison.

Sharing a snapshot the beleaguered actor on Twitter, Rashad wrote: “FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!”

Three hours later, she returned to the micro-blogging platform to wrote: “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.”

While Rashad’s tweet celebrating Cosby’s release remains on her account, a number of Twitter users expressed outrage.

Actress Janet Hubert, who played the first Aunt Viv in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, tweeted: “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 s*** shower. I am outraged that he has been released. Yes he is an old a** guilty man!”

She added: “I would have said he’s old he’s out and I’m happy for him, but he still …guilty. I know 5 women who have not come forward. Enough Ya’ll we know better. Powerful men do wrong things, black or white…”

Others turned their attentions to Rashad’s new position at her alma mater Howard University, which was announced in May.