Abstract
It is already known that one of the ways in which colonialism operates and exerts harm is by dehumanizing Black, Indigenous, and other racially minoritized populations. Less attention has been paid, however, to the ways in which this dehumanization erodes relations among those colonized. Colonial logics designed to separate and alienate the colonized from each other have been internalized for centuries, preventing communities and individuals from recognizing how they connect. In this piece, the authors draw on their experiences as racially minoritized women in the U.S. academy to reflect on how this colonial legacy has shaped not only their identities but also their identifications—how and with whom they identify. The authors demonstrate what they refer to as a love letter approach that enables them to foster connection, healing, and transformation through dialogue. Most importantly, they highlight the radical potential of finding and articulating love for one another as a form of resisting the very colonial logics that would keep them apart. They conclude the piece with guidance on how to use this approach to connect individuals, communities, and organizations.
