Tell Them We Were Bees

Tell Them We Were Bees is composed of 55 poems. The thesis uses different poetic forms and a variety of literary and rhetoric devices to facilitate the imagery of bees including but not limited to their functions and how they are perceived. The symbolism of bees and nature used throughout in analogies and metaphors represent the experiences of African Americans and women in the society and culture of the United States. The thesis will draw on aspects of racism: such as the system that continues to uplift racism, micro aggressive experiences, internalized racism, colorism, hate crimes, and other personal experiences on the matter. The thesis also explores the topics of sexism, misogyny, the notion of invisible labor, and feminism. The thesis will contain poetry on the intersectionality of being an African American woman and how these two identities coexist for better or for worse. These poems will also highlight the joy, sadness, anger, anxiety, envy, fear, and embarrassment that a person may encounter who falls into these identities in the United States.