Phylicia Rashad and sister Debbie Allen publicly differ over the situation regarding Howard University’s student housing conditions, making for some uncomfortable on-camera moments.
According to The Jasmine Brand, Howard students have been protesting the school over poor dormitory conditions including mold, flooding and rodents being present. Part of the protesting includes the Blackburn Takeover, a sit-in at the school’s Blackburn University Center that has now become one of the biggest in the school’s history.
While visiting Rashad, who is the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Allen said the student voice is important, saying on video, "We know what the Howard student body needs. In any country when the students don't speak out the nation is not doing well."
Rashad, however, said, “When the students do speak out…and they have been heard and their concerns have been addressed and it’s still not enough, what about that? That’s what’s going on now.” Also, when asked by Allen if the concerns have been addressed, Rashad said, “Let’s go inside.”
Phylicia Rashad and sister Debbie Allen Are Asked About Howard University Protests that have been taking place for the past few weeks. pic.twitter.com/1D35qY5uqF
— BACKUP ACCOUNT (@JasmineBrandTHE) November 6, 2021
While visiting Rashad, who is the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Allen said the student voice is important, saying on video, “We know what the Howard student body needs. In any country when the students don’t speak out the nation is not doing well.”
It's not the first time Rashad has been on the wrong side of the Howard student body.
When Bill Cosby was released from jail in June, Rashad tweeted that “a terrible wrong is being righted,” causing outrage among the student body and calls for her dismissal. She issued an apology and Howard University also issued a statement to ease tensions. The university wrote that Rashad’s tweet “lacked sensitivity towards survivors of sexual assault” and recommitted to survivors’ “right to heard.”
