DEFYING ODDS WITH COURAGE with Lt Col Sulle Alhaji

Racism has far-fetching effects on individuals, societies, and the world at large. It perpetuates inequality, hinders social progress and fosters division amongst people.

My guest today, Sulle Alhaji, was subjected to racism from a very young age. This racial discrimination followed him into the army when he joined the parachute regiment and, although he eventually fought back against the bigotry and was no longer subjected to the physical side of it, it left him with psychological scares which have affected him ever since. Despite this, Sulle defied the expectations of others and left the army, after a career spanning 4 decades, having reached the rank of Lt Col.

Today we talk about the racism he was subjected to growing up, joining the army, receiving multiple threats on his life from the others in his platoon, fighting in The Falklands Conflict, and how, despite reaching the rank of Lt Col, he still had echoes from his past tell him he wasn’t worthy.