"Empire" star Derek Luke took to Instagram to speak out against people who criticized him for not marrying a black woman.

"I never usually entertain the opinions of others because everyone is entitled to their own opinion. (Positive or Negative)," the actor said. "But we're in the year of 2015 & when should it be a 'problem' to date outside of your race? Why is that an issue AGAIN?"

One user @lavish_lash commented to his post saying that people are mad because a lot of black men in mainstream media marry outside of their race.

"To BW, it's always refreshing to see a successful black man with a black woman...period!" the user stated. "Especially when they market themselves MAINLY to the black community or those that SUPPORT them the most. Please don't take the comments as 'hate.' We just love to see images of black love in a time where we are so divided."

Luke has been married to Sophia Adella Luke, who is also an actress, for 17 years, Metro notes.

"Who one chooses to date is that persons business," Luke said. "Instead of focusing on (Happiness) & (pure Love) for some reason some folks are still focused on (Color). Doesn't make any sense to me. But I guess that's the ignorance of OTHERS."

The "Empire" actor went on to show that he loves his wife based on her inner beauty and not her race.

"My wife may not be Black but she is mine. And she's mine with a heart of gold," he confessed. "People are so quick to judge but can't even distinguish the difference of another's race. Sophia Luke is Hispanic. She's not white, she's not black, she's not Chinese, she's Hispanic. And she's mine!!"

"Empire" is returning to Fox for a second season in the fall on Sept. 23.

 I never usually entertain the opinions of others because everyone is entitled to they're own opinion. (Positive or Negative) But we're in the year of 2015 & when should it be a "problem" to date outside of your race? Why is that an issue AGAIN? I'm doing the unusual & going through my comments & the comments I see about my wife being another race is bugging me out. Who one chooses to date is that persons business. Instead of focusing on (Happiness) & (pure Love) for some reason some folks are still focused on (Color). Doesn't make any sense to me. But I guess that's the ignorance of OTHERS. My wife may not be Black but she is mine. And she's mine with a heart of gold. People are so quick to judge but can't even distinguish the difference of another's race. Sophia Luke is Hispanic. She's not white, she's not black, she's not Chinese, she's Hispanic. And she's mine!!

A photo posted by Derek Luke (@iamderekluke) on Jul 12, 2015 at 9:04am PDT

Related