October 2026: people power & democracy
Each month, we break down our topic into four weekly modules. Catch up on previous editions here.
This week's module: REFLECT
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Here's what we'll learn today Reader
Before I get into it, a final announcement that next Friday is our Soapbox SF pop-up!
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Hi!! This is going to be my last weekly Changeletter of 2026. You'll probably hear from me 1-2 more times before the year is up. I'm not quite ready to take a hiatus, but I do feel myself really grasping for straws with the quality of these. I LOVE writing these, and I want to give it my best.
I might move to a more monthly action pack + reflection post in the future; I'm not sure. All I know is I want the quality of these to keep going up and I want to deliver on the promise of bite-sized action packs.
The bites may be more like meals in the future though.
The other thing is, in 2026, so many of you have sent me so many wonderful email responses. I have read every single one of them and responded to them in my heart. But I REALLY want to respond to them in person. So, November will be my catch-up month and hopefully I'll get back to you and generally figure out how we move forward with these Changeletters, especially because Soapbox is continuing to grow.
If you have any thoughts on what you want out of these Changeletters in 2027, please write back and let me know and thank you for giving me a year's worth of patience as I still haven't replied to your notes. A few final thoughts:
- There's honestly enough content from past Changeletters that I could automate a bite-sized action every week. The thing is, I don't know if that's why you read these.
- As Soapbox has shifted away from individual action into community organizing, there's a lot of stuff I've been learning internally that I've been thinking about sharing. I'm wondering if any of that would be valuable for you.
- Anything else??
Alright, onto our final promised Changeletter of the year. Next week is my birthday week so I might pop back in to pester you into donating to Soapbox as a birthday gift but idk
We will wrap this month with a song about people power in honor of Brazil, a country that stewards the lungs of the earth!
With so so so so much love until the next time,
Nivi
if you want a better future, you need to invest in it
All i'm saying is these Changeletters are use it or lose it bb
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Your bite-sized action plan Reader
Today, find your own resistance anthem. Use this one by a Brazilian singer-songwriter arrested for the themes in his works.
Apesar De Você - Chico Buarque / English Translation below by Gabriela Jatene
Today you are in charge
What you say goes
There is no discussion, no
Today my people walk
Talking low
And looking to the ground, you see
You invented this state
And invented
All this darkness
You who invented sin
Forgot to invent
Forgiveness
In spite of you
Tomorrow will be
Another day
I ask you
Where will you hide
From our euphoria
How will you prohibit it
When the cock insists
On singing
New water sprouting
And us loving each other
Nonstop
When the moment arrives
This suffering of mine
Will charge with interest, I swear
All of this repressed love
This contained scream
This samba in the dark
You invented sadness
Now, have the decency
To disinvent it
You will pay, double
For each fallen tear
On my face
In spite of you
Tomorrow will be
Another day
I will bet on seeing
The garden bloom
Which you don’t want
You will become embittered
Watch the sun rise
Without asking for your permission
And I will die of laughter
Because this day will arrive
Before you know it
In spite of you
Tomorrow will be
Another day
You will have to see
The morning reborn
And ooze poetry
How will you explain yourself
Watch the sky clear
Suddenly, with impunity
How will you suppress
Our chorus as it sings
In front of you
In spite of you
Tomorrow will be
Another day
You will get what’s coming to you
Etc. And so on
La la la la laia
A lil note 💚
Hello hello! If you enjoy the work we're doing at Soapbox through these Changeletters and more, pleeeasse consider contributing. This is how I make my livelihood and pay my rent (and my team!) and I would appreciate any support you can give. Thank you for being here!
Love,
Nivi
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