Jodie Turner-Smith‘s husband Joshua Jackson calls out the racist and toxic reactions his wife received after she proposed to him, HuffPost reports.

In an interview with Refinery29, Jackson revealed that Turner-Smith was the target of disturbing comments after the two announced their engagement.

“The way people get in her comments and the ignorance and ugliness that comes her way is truly shocking,” he said. “And it has been a necessary, but an unpleasant education in just the way people relate to Black bodies in general, but Black female bodies in specific. It is not okay. We have a long way to go.”

Jackson went on to detail how he got engaged to the Queen and Slim actress.

“She has a biological father and a stepdad, who’s the man who raised her. [I said], ‘You have to give me the opportunity to ask both of those men for your hand in marriage,’” he continued. “And then, I would like the opportunity to re-propose those to you and do it the old-fashioned way down on bended knee. So, that’s actually how the story ended up.”

Although he praised his wife’s strength after being subjected to such hate, he noted that the concept of a strong Black woman is almost like being put in a “golden cage.” 

“I would wish for my wife that she would not have to rise above with such amazing strength and grace, above the ugliness that people throw at her,” he continued. “I am impressed with her that she does it, but I would wish that that would not be the armor that she has to put on every morning to just navigate being alive.” 

Responding to the interview, the British actress gushed about Jackson in the most loving way. 

“There aren’t enough words to properly elucidate my love and affection for the thoughtful and intelligent human being that is @VancityJax, actor husband and daddy extraordinaire,” she wrote in a tweet. “Also, he’s a very good interview.”

there aren’t enough words to properly elucidate my love and affection for the thoughtful and intelligent human being that is @VancityJax, actor husband and daddy extraordinaire 😻 also, he gives very good interview: https://t.co/YmRCQs0CmV

— Jodie (@MissJodie) August 17, 2021

Jackson and Turner-Smith have never been shy about expressing their support and affection for one another in public. Despite the vitriol that they’ve suffered, they know they have each other’s back.

“I think it’s really beautiful to be with someone who is so supportive and so loving,” she said in an interview with People.

“We’re so similar in so many ways,” she continued. “We’re like mirrors for each other. And I just really love that human being.”