Sir, - As a mixed-race Irish woman born and raised on this island, the reports and images coming out of Belfast were the stuff of my nightmares as a child in the 1970s and 80s (“Several homes and bus set on fire as hundreds take to Belfast’s streets after knife attack,” June 9th).After some difficult conversations on Thursday morning, I know they have become the stuff of my mixed-race children’s nightmares too. Former US president Barack Obama recently noted that “it can be hard to hope” at the moment. An understatement for those of us reaching for that “further shore”: an Ireland that respects and values the dignity and humanity of all people, upholds the rule of law, sustains strong communities and shares a real commitment to the future of this island. – Yours, etc,SIOBHÁN McKENNA,Churchtown,Dublin 14.Politicians have a duty to fight racismSir, – The attack on Stephen Ogilvie in Belfast should be utterly condemned. We should not tolerate violence against anybody in our society.However, the riots and disturbances in Northern Ireland have very little to do with Stephen Ogilvie. Rather, the attack simply provided an opportunity for racists to gather and cause terrible destruction to people’s homes and businesses. I am disappointed that politicians on both sides of the Border are focusing on cross-Border protection. We need our political leaders to focus on racism in our society and how it can be addressed in a comprehensive way. Listening to politicians, you would be forgiven for thinking violence is only perpetrated by immigrants. Nothing could be further from the truth. Immigrants make an incalculable contribution to our society on both sides of the Border. We need to acknowledge this. – Yours, etc,PAULA MOLLOY,Baldoyle,Dublin 13.These people are not protestersSir, – As a taxi driver, I witnessed up close the terrifying Dublin riots in 2023. Sadly, Belfast is now experiencing the same terror and mayhem. I wondered then as I do now why masked, violent criminals are routinely referred to as “protesters” in the mainstream media. Surely that is an insult to peaceful, genuine protest? – Yours, etc, THOMAS NAGHTEN, Maynooth, Co Kildare. Elon Musk’s selective outrageSir, - So, Elon Musk has advice for us on immigration and violence on the streets of Belfast. Since 2020, 30 women have died from violence in Northern Ireland. Can anyone tell me where to find Musk’s reaction to those deaths? – Yours, etc,ADRIAN MOYNES,Dublin 8.