A Belfast man has said he will not leave his home after it was targeted with racist graffiti.
Joe, 26, from Grays Lane in North Belfast, returned home in the early hours of Friday morning to find that racist graffiti had been written on the wall of his home.
Originally from Nigeria, he has made Belfast his home since moving here 18 years ago and began living in the Whitewell area.
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Speaking to Belfast live, Joe said that he was upset at discovering the graffiti on his home at around 1.30am on Friday morning but is refusing be intimidated.
He said: "On Thursday night I had been out to pick up some friends and when I got home at around 1.30am I saw the graffiti on my home.
"At first I couldn't believe what I was seeing and it took me a moment to register things before calling the police.
"I grew up around the corner from here in the Whitewell and have been in this house for two years after working very hard in order to afford a house of my own.
"While it is very worrying that this has happened, I am determined I am not going to let this get to me and plan to continue living here because there are a lot of very nice people in the area who are not like the tiny number of racists who have done this.
"All they have is pure hate."
Joe, who is an aspiring video editor and producer said that those who have done this would never have the courage to say anything racist to his face and believes they are jealous that he is able to make his own way in life.
He said: "I love living in Belfast and Northern Ireland. It has allowed me to find my voice in this world and work on my own business.
"I cannot understand what would make someone do something like this to my home, but they are not going to scare me or get me to react in the way that they want. I know I am much better than that."
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are investigating after racist graffiti was daubed on a property in the Graymount Parade area of north Belfast overnight.
"The incident, which is being treated as a hate crime by police, occurred sometime between 9pm on Thursday 30th June and 2am today, Friday 1st July.
"There is no place for hate in our communities and police are appealing anyone with information, or those who may who knows the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators, to come forward and speak with us.
"Officers can be reached by calling 101, quoting reference 90 01/07/22, or online via our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
"Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
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