Northern Ireland: Across the cultural divide

Manvi, who moved to Belfast because her parents are doctors seeking international qualifications, feels the only way to tackle Northern Ireland's escalating racism is by educating children about other cultures. "If you grow up to accept people, you grow up as nicer individuals, without the stress of hatred inside you," she explains.

According to the Equity Commission, racist attacks in Northern Ireland are at a higher level than in England and Wales, standing at 16.4 per 1,000 of the minority ethnic population, compared with 12.6 in England and Wales. Although changes in EU legislation mean more Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities are settling in Northern Ireland, the city has long been home to about 40 different communities. Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities mainly arrived in the 1930s and the bulk of the Chinese community settled in the 1960s. The Jewish community has been established since the 18th century, when it was instrumental in establishing the linen industry. But today, many fear racism is taking over from sectarianism and that some young people have grown up accustomed to street violence.