Phylicia Rashad has learned in the very worst way that social media can be a gift or a curse depending on what you post.
RELATED: Phylicia Rashad Trends After Celebrating Bill Cosby’s Overturned Conviction
Following the fallout of her post celebrating Bill Cosby’s overturned conviction, the legendary actress has issued an apology and shared she will be participating in sexual assault training at Howard University.
RELATED: Howard University Releases Statement In Regards To Dean Phylicia Rashad
In a letter emailed to students of the university and their parents, Phylicia wrote:
Dear Students and Parents,
This week, I tweeted a statement that caused so much hurt in so many people – both broadly and inside the Howard community. I offer my most sincere apology. I have since removed that upsetting tweet.
I am sorry. I intend to earn your trust and your forgiveness.
My remarks are in no way directed towards survivors of sexual assault. I vehemently oppose sexual violence, find no excuse for such behavior, and I know that Howard University has a zero-tolerance policy toward interpersonal violence.
The most important role I have ever played in my life is that of a mother to my children, who have taught me to live a life that nourishes, protects and encourages others. Though they are adults now, I still feel the primal instinct to protect them. This is the same feeling that I hold for Howard University and each of her students. As a dean in this revered and beloved institution, I am committed to this.
Over the next few weeks, I plan to engage in active listening and participate in training to not only reinforce University protocol and conduct, but also to learn how I can become a stronger ally to sexual assault survivors and every who has suffered at the hands of an abuser.
Thank you for voicing your concerns, for speaking your truth and for holding leaders accountable for our actions and words.
Excellence in Truth and Service,
Phylicia Rashad
Dean of the College of Fine Arts
Legendary singer Stehanie Mills took to the streets of social media to stand in support of Phylicia Rashad.
She also had a message for Howard University in case they were thinking about firing Phylicia.
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.
See her original post below.
Bill Cosby (or whoever runs his Twitter page) praised Stephanie Mills for her post, tweeting:
Thank you @iamstephaniemills your voice has always been powerful!
Peep the tweet below.
Bill Cosby also released a statement on Sunday addressing the media as well as Phylicia Rashad.
The statement read, in part:
This mainstream media are the Insurrectionists, who stormed the Capitol.
Those same Media Insurrectionists are trying to demolish the Constitution of these United States of America on this Independence Day.
NO TECHNICALITY — IT’S A VIOLATION OF ONES RIGHTS & WE THE PEOPLE STAND IN SUPPORT OF MS. PHYLICIA RASHAD.
Bill also reposted a portion of Marc Lamont Hill‘s interview with Judge Joe Brown, where they were discussing Mr. Cosby’s case.
RELATED: Judge Joe Brown Trends After His Jaw-Dropping YouTube Live With Kwame Brown
The caption read:
DUE PROCESS IS NOT A TECHNICALITY.
THE MEDIA CAN’T SILENCE THE TRUTH.
#BillCosbyDidntAdmit???? #JudgeJoeBrown #BillCosby
See the original post below.
This is A LOT. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
