The fact that Derek Luke, an African-American actor, is married to a Hispanic woman is not news to me. I remember Luke referencing his wife Sophia memorably at the Independent Spirit Awards many years ago, and I’ve seen photos of them on various red carpets many times before. It never really registered that their marriage was any kind of problem. But some people did take issue with the fact that an African-American man is married to a Hispanic woman. And that’s what is surprising. Seriously, y’all? Also surprising: Derek Luke is a vampire. He’s a baby-faced 41 year old and he’s been married to Sophia for 17 YEARS. That is what blows my mind.

Anyway, Derek went off on Instagram after he read some comments insulting his wife and insulting him for “marrying outside of his race.” Like that’s still a thing? Really? This is what Luke wrote:

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!!

[From Derek Luke’s Instagram]

THEIR own opinion. Not “they’re.” But other than that, I agree. I’ve never really understood the strong feelings some people have about interracial couples. Maybe that’s because I’m mixed race – I’m half-white and half-Indian – and I grew up in a weirdly oblivious bubble where I never even realized until I was out of my teens (that’s how late it was) that some people might have taken issue with my parents being together. Seriously, who cares? In a few more generations, everyone is going to look like Halle Berry and The Rock anyway.

Now can we talk about the really important issue: how is this man 41 years old?!

Photos courtesy of WENN.