Amy Schumer Backtracks, Apologizes for ‘Racist’ Hispanic Rape Joke

A week after taking a stand against her critics, self-described feminist comedian Amy Schumer is apologizing for the politically incorrect material that put her on the map to begin with.

Schumer is known for telling raunchy and sometimes stereotypical jokes, both on her Comedy Central series and in her stand-up. When a June 28 article published in The Guardian accused her of having a “blind spot around race,” she responded on Twitter: “I enjoy playing the girl who time to time says the dumbest thing possible and playing with race is a thing we are not supposed to do.”

“I go in and out of playing an irreverent idiot. That includes making dumb jokes involving race,” she wrote on June 28. “It is a joke and it is funny.”

The 34-year-old also added she was “not going to start joking about safe material,” but it now appears she’s had a change of heart.

With jokes such as, ”I used to date Hispanic guys, but now I prefer consensual,” Schumer has gained a loyal fan following and, although she defended the aforementioned joke a week ago, now she is apologizing.

During a Twitter exchange with one of her followers Monday, Schumer was asked about the joke.

Hours after the Washington Post compared the comedian to now-vilified Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has been vocal about rapes and other crimes committed by illegal immigrants, Martine Joelle asked:

@amyschumer What is your responsibility/value system as a storyteller? I really want to understand yr thinking… https://t.co/97XTBKUWYx

— Martine | Be kind to each other. ✨🏳️‍🌈☸️☮️ (@martinejoelle) July 6, 2015

Schumer explained the quip was meant to be told through her “dumb white girl” persona and referred to such jokes in the past tense:

“Thank you so much for asking. I wrote this joke 2 years ago. I used to do a lot of dumb jokes like this. I used to play a dumb white girl character on stage. I still do sometimes. Once I realized I had more eyes and ears on me and had an influence I stopped telling jokes like that onstage, I am evolving as any artist.

She also added: “I am taking responsibility and I hope I haven’t hurt anyone. And I apologize if I did.”