October 2026: people power & democracy
Each month, we break down our topic into four weekly modules. Catch up on previous editions here.โ
This week's module: LEARN
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Here's what we'll learn today Reader
Wow. I feel like I'm finally BACK.
The last few Changeletters, I dragged the soupy mess of my soul to the keyboard and spilled all over it and hoped something coherent came out.
None of you have replied yelling at me so looks like it's probably fine. Also, thanks again for the numerous mental health check-ins LOL. And for the donations and the support. I'm doing well, all things considered, but every now and then I slip into the despair of knowing a tech starting salary is $200k while I have to justify my existence as "overhead" to funders. BUT I'M ALL GOOD, AT LEAST THIS WEEK!! Proof of life attached of me having the best day in a dahlia farm!
This month's topic is people power and democracy, and it's got me thinking about how democracy is such an empty word these days.
And I've put in some real effort on this one, so plz read it!
Wealthy (colonizer) countries like the US and UK are known worldwide for their "democracy" are escalating political intimidation by raiding Congresswomen's homes and banning Sally Rooney's books from being sold because she supports Palestine.
Corporations essentially own the United States government, which has implications worldwide. Yay yay yay yaaayyyy ๐คฎ
So, instead of looking to the countries we already know as democratic institutions, I wanted to explore a different angle--and to me, it's a more interesting one:
Anarchy.
It turns out I've severely misunderstood the concept of anarchy. I thought anarchy meant a completely disorganized lawless chaos landscape, but it actually is an organization structure and a worthwhile framework through which to understand building people power.
In today's Changeletter, you have the opportunity to explore the Rojava region/revolution in Syria or watch a video about anarchy as a governing principle.
Rojava is particularly fascinating to me because Syria, in many ways, is apocalyptic. Military strikes have leveled homes and polluted lands and humans' rights have been violated and people have been forced to flee and it is truly heartbreaking and awful. And, in a corner of all this, a microcosm of a new world has been built.
Rojava and the concept of anarchy got me thinking about what the point is of democracy and what it means to have people power.
I don't know why I'm emphasizing is so much today; maybe that's the new me.
Anyway, I hope you is enjoy this one, and thanks for keeping up.
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, your mission is to watch a video about anarchy as a governing principle.
Video 1: A Quick Explanation of Anarchy (2 mins)
Andrewism is my fave. You've seen me share his solarpunk videos multiple times in the past. He has a lot of videos about anarchy, but here's the shortest one.
It's about how anarchism is against authority, in order to create a society of equals, but that it still calls for accountability and interdependency. I highly recommend going down an Andrewism rabbit hole to come up with your own perspective of what people power should look like as we try to save the world.
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Video 2: What is the Rojava Revolution? (20 mins)
โSome of my personal takeways/key learnings:
- The Rojava region is the only place in Syria that did not fall into sectarian conflict during the Assad regime, with Arabs, Christians, and Kurds working together
- Decisions happen on a hyperlocal level, with village legislative assemblies where everyone can participate. Only if necessary, they will escalate to a the regional assembly
- The legislature represents all religious + ethnic groups, and is made up of 40% women. Non-Kurdish minorities get to speak first so their voices are guaranteed to be heard, and youth voices (including young women!!) are uplifted
- The justice system works by encouraging interpersonal conflict resolution, not going to court or getting the state involved, including, in the video, cases where a family member has been shot and killed
Something that struck me was the segment of the video, towards the end, about women freedom fighters. Women (maybe girls??) are on the frontlines against ISIS, as part of a non-hierarchical military resistance. One of them says, "Without having free women, you don't have a free society."
So I'll leave us with this:
We're fighting the climate crisis, but what are we fighting for? What is the role of each of us as mutually independent individuals to shape the future? What structures do we need, and what can we be courageous to test out?
That's it from me today, and I hope you enjoyed this one. Thanks for your care over the past few weeks.
Love,
Nivi
A lil note ๐
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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