Behind The Photo: Phylicia Rashad

When actress Phylicia Rashad came to my alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, to speak I knew I had to skip class to see her.  I made sure I was one of the first ones in the audience. I had loved Phylicia Rashad from her role on The Cosby Show and I was eager to hear what she had to say.  When I entered the auditorium, I went straight to the front row and sat down.  Good thing I came early, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get a good seat.  Within minutes, the auditorium was filled with students. 

It wasn't long afterwards that Phylicia Rashad was being introduced.  As soon as she finished her speech and opened the floor for questions, my hand shot up like a rocket.  Phylicia Rashad pointed to me to ask the very first question .  When I begin to ask my question she interrupted me and said, "Honey, you need to back to the microphone so everyone can hear your question." I turned around and looked at how far back the microphone was from where I was sitting and gave her a look of lazy desperation. I smiled and asked, "Can't I just ask you from right here?" Lord, why oh why did I say that to Phylicia Rashad?! 

"Girl." She said.  "You better get up and go to that microphone.  You ought to be glad that you even got legs to walk."  Everyone immediately started laughing.  I suddenly felt like I was in a scene from the Cosby Show.  As instructed, I got up, put my head down, and slowly walked back to the microphone.  By the time I made it back there I had to get at the end of a long line of students who were also waiting to ask her a question.  When my turn finally came she said, "Ahh I see you made it. Everyone let's give Ms. Thing a hand for walking all the way back to the microphone."  Everyone roared with handclaps and laughter.  It was a very comical moment, at least for them it was.  If you ever watched one episode of The Cosby Show you knew not to mess with Claire Huxtable but that day I learned that goes for Phylicia Rashad too lol! Even though I skipped class that day I still learned a lesson and got scolded by a famous TV mom.