Iskra Lawrence pens poem after receiving racist messages about new relationship: 'The fears I had came true'

Iskra Lawrence is spreading kindness to her followers in response to messages of “hate and racism” that she’s received since revealing that she’s in an interracial relationship.

The 28-year-old model took to her Instagram one week ago to post a photo with boyfriend Philip Payne after paparazzi photos of the two had been posted online. “We were robbed of the opportunity to announce our relationship on our own terms,” Lawrence wrote, “but this is our love story and for the first time ever I’m posting my man.”

In the photo’s caption, she went on to write about how scary it is to share something “so pure and private” on social media. Now, she’s revealing that her biggest fears about doing so have come to fruition.

“I started receiving targeting hate and racism,” Lawrence wrote on Instagram Monday, alongside a new photo of the couple. And instead of retaliating against negative commenters, she responded with a poem intended to spread kindness.

Lawrence’s followers have since responded with their utmost support for her budding romance and her decision to share it with the millions of people who look up to her — including those who are in interracial relationships themselves and relate to being on the receiving end of unwelcome opinions.

“As someone in an interracial relationship my heart goes out to you for the hate you are receiving. I applaud you for being so open and public about your relationship too,” one person wrote. While another assured, “Love is love. I don’t love my husband for the colour of his skin.”

Payne also commented on his girlfriend’s post to say, “This is one of the many reasons why I fell in love with you.”

“I admire you so much for your courage and your continued selflessness,” he continued. “Everyday you wake up and use your platform to speak up on things that are wrong and take on the responsibility to show people love is the way by letting your light shine. Keep shining.”

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• Curvy model Iskra Lawrence posts crying selfie, urges others to do the same: ‘I know I’m not alone’

• Model Iskra Lawrence called out a man who said she’d be ‘perfect’ if one part of her body was bigger

• Model Iskra Lawrence was shamed by the fashion industry: ‘I would always hold my fat back and measure myself’

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.