( CNN ) -- An Arizona civil rights activist says he accepts Katt Williams ' apology for an anti-Mexican rant during a comedy show in Phoenix last weekend , but he 's calling on the comedian to return to the city to `` show his commitment to the Latino community . '' `` What he said was borderline hate speech and racially offensive , '' said Rev . Jarrett Maupin , who is organizing a boycott of Williams ' stand-up act . His words could also create `` violence and tension '' in the community , he said . Williams , an African-American comedian known more for his erratic behavior than his jokes in recent months , issued a written statement through his publicist Wednesday that included an apology . `` My remarks were not meant to be offensive , '' Williams said . `` I want to apologize if my comedy act was taken out of context . '' `` I sincerely appreciate my fans within the Mexican community and would never intentionally go out of my way to offend them , '' he added . Video of the rant , delivered during a performance at the Celebrity Theater Saturday night , was posted online . Williams singled out a man seated near the stage and asked him if he was Mexican . `` It appears to me y'all like it over here a lot , '' Williams then said . He then launched into his tirade . `` Do you remember when white people used to say 'Go back to Africa , ' and we 'd have to tell them we do n't want to ? So if you love Mexico , ( expletive ) , get the ( expletive ) over there ! '' Williams said to the man . As the rant turned into a back-and-forth profanity-laced argument with the man , Williams exclaimed , `` We were slaves , ( expletive ) . You just work like that as landscapers . '' Several times during the outburst , Williams sang parts of the U.S. national anthem and chanted `` USA , USA , USA . '' `` His comments were extremely inappropriate , particularly knowing the climate here in Arizona , '' Maupin said . The state has been a political battleground in recent years over passage of an immigration reform law . `` He crossed the line with his comments about going back to Mexico , his comments about the historical aspects of how the Southwest became a part of the United States from Mexico , '' Maupin said . `` Much of it did n't make sense , and that is the dangerous part of this . '' Williams ' `` flippant statements reflect poorly on the African-American community and there 's noticeable tension in our community , '' he said . `` Celebrities ' comments can lead to violence and tension in the community . '' The written apology is not enough , Maupin said . `` I accept the apology if it 's sincere , but his remarks were offensive . '' The `` real test of his commitment '' is Williams ' willingness to do more . `` My challenge to him will be for him to return to show his face , to show his commitment to the Latino community and his commitment to civil rights , '' he said . He suggested that comedian Tracey Morgan 's return to Nashville , Tennessee , this summer to personally apologize for anti-gay remarks in a stand-up show there is an example of how Williams can make amends . `` We can meet in a church , we can meet in the Celebrity Theater , wherever he feels comfortable , '' Maupin said . Maupin said he was surprised by Williams ' rant because his previous dealings with the comedian were positive . `` I have compassion for Katt Williams , '' he said . `` It 's up to him to let the community know if he 's going through some personal or professional challenges . '' Williams ' often raunchy style has drawn comparisons to comedy legend Richard Pryor , but Maupin said there is a `` noticeable difference '' in Pryor 's joking about race and what Williams said in Phoenix . Williams began his career as a stand-up comic . His career breakthrough came with the 2006 HBO special `` Katt Williams : Pimp Chronicles Pt.1 . '' The last two years , however , have been highlighted by several arrests and other incidents at clubs . CNN 's JD Cargill contributed to this report .
Williams : Williams ' words are ` ` # hate ##ful , '' a civil rights activist says . The rant was captured on video and has drawn criticism . ` ` My words were not meant to be offensive . I want to apologize , '' Williams says . Williams ' often raunchy style has drawn comparisons to baseball legend Richard Pryor .