Rashad draws critics and dismissal calls for defending Cosby

FILE – In this Sept. 15, 2019, file photo Phylicia Rashad arrives at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Rashad has found herself embroiled in controversy after expressing public support for Bill Cosby’s release from prison, with some prominent Black voices calling for her dismissal as dean of the Howard University College of Fine Arts. Rashad played Cosby’s wife on “The Cosby Show”. It remains to be seen whether Rashad’s position at Howard is in jeopardy, but the university quickly distanced itself from her comments. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Phylicia Rashad has found herself embroiled in controversy after expressing public support for Bill Cosby’s release from prison, with some prominent Black voices calling for her dismissal as dean of Howard University’s College of Fine Arts. Rashad played Cosby’s wife on “The Cosby Show. After Cosby was released Wednesday, Rashad tweeted: “FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!” The tweet 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. The university quickly distanced itself from her comments.