Changing the Code

Greetings everyone.
I’m truly glad to be participating in this midnight owl Community, titled “Changing the Code.” This topic brought back some powerful memories and meaningful experiences from my past.

The first memory that came to mind was the wedding ceremony of a friend some years ago. He married a woman from a different tribe, a culture that communicates largely through what I would call a “coded language.” Unfortunately, my friend did not fully understand this cultural practice before the wedding.

When the event began, the atmosphere was lively and full of joy. Music filled the air, people were dancing, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the celebration. After some time, the MC made an announcement that food was ready. However, there was a condition: anyone who could not switch to the local language—their “code language”—would not be served. Sadly, most of the in-laws and guests from the groom’s side could not speak or understand that language. As a result, many of us were left hungry, not because food was unavailable, but because we couldn’t “change the code.” That moment clearly showed how language and communication can either unite or exclude people.

Another experience that strongly reflects this prompt is a story my brother-in-law once shared with me from his time in the military before retirement. He told me about a rescue mission that went terribly wrong. According to him, they encountered heavy resistance and lost many soldiers. As part of their escape plan, they planted a timed bomb on an enemy vehicle. One of his teammates held the remote meant to trigger the explosion at the right moment. However, when the time came, the device failed. His friend then said, “The general has changed the code.” Because of that single change, the bomb didn’t explode, the plan collapsed, and many of them were captured. Only four soldiers managed to escape.

Both experiences taught me that changing the code—whether cultural, linguistic, or technical—can completely alter outcomes. It can determine who belongs, who survives, and who is left behind.

Thank you for reading.

Picture is mine