Jimmy Kimmel is apologizing for recently resurfaced sketches of him in blackface. Kimmel issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday addressing the controversy, less than a week after announcing he would be taking the rest of the summer off to spend time with his family.

Said Kimmel:  “I have long been reluctant to address this, as I knew doing so would be celebrated as a victory by those who equate apologies with weakness and cheer for leaders who use prejudice to divide us. That delay was a mistake. There is nothing more important to me than your respect, and I apologize to those who were genuinely hurt or offended by the makeup I wore or the words I spoke.” Kimmel addressed the sketches, which originated from The Man Show, Kimmel’s comedy series with Adam Carolla that aired from 1999 to 2004 on Comedy Central.

In his statement, he noted that his summer vacation had “been planned for more than a year and includes the next two summers off as well. I will be back to work in September,” he said. “Thank you for giving me an opportunity to explain and to those I’ve disappointed, I am sorry.”