"As a post-conflict piece the focus is on what draws us together rather than pulling us apart."
Fear of an Uncertain Future for Romanian immigrants, 2009
This article is helpful in terms of illuminating the changing demographics and racial tension within Belfast. As early as 2009, Romanians within Belfast have been subjected to racist attacks that have forced them out of their homes and often out of the city. Many people stand with their Romanian neighbors, but they are often subjected to threats. Jacki McDonald, a leading Loyalist, discusses that many of the young people involved in these attacks may have wanted to join paramilitaries when they were younger. Now that those activities are not available, racial tensions are filling a void left by old sectarian battles.
Racist attacks on Romanian immigrants blight East Belfast, 2014
This article helped me to understand that the tension for Romanians has grown in Belfast and that the city is experiencing an increase in racist and hate-linked crimes. Protestant communities and neighborhoods seem more prone to racist attacks which may be indicative of the characters who come from within those communities.