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Lawrence B.'s latest book, No Sense in Wishing, blends the personal with the societal in a memoir that serves as a tribute to his hometown. This publication examines the creative and cultural influences that formed his journey, intertwining collectively themes of kinship, parenthood, and institutional challenges.

A Politicized View on the City

Burney observes that Baltimore has for decades been viewed through a political lens and racialized. Burney reflects on his initial essays on law enforcement brutality, inspired by the high-profile incident and his own family experiences. As time passed, his approach evolved to a more historical perspective, examining the city's history of segregation and discriminatory housing policies.

Baltimore has probably the worst public relations of any city in America.

He argues that regardless of social problems, the urban reputation is frequently misrepresented by media coverage. Exceptional art and musical talent arise from the community, yet they often go unnoticed by mainstream audiences.

Platforming Local Creatives

Via his zine True Laurels, the writer sought to showcase local talents frequently overlooked by larger outlets. A notable story centered on a musician named the artist, who encountered reportedly police targeting. While Burney's reporting, the cops involved were charged with serious crimes, exposing systemic misconduct.

• The situation exemplified anti-Black and anti-poor policing.
• He emphasized that not all Black communities experience the same degree of surveillance.

Emotional Range and Intimate Reflection

The book mixes devastating experiences with lighthearted ones, reflecting the complex nature of human experience. The author focused on eliciting affective responses in the audience, believing that emotion outweighs craft-based proficiency in cultural production.

Burney discussed how musicians like the rapper deeply impacted his life, questioning notions of masculinity and identity.

Vulnerability and Self-Discovery

Reflecting about personal subjects—such as attending religious services, childcare, and being a parent—required significant openness. He admitted that discussing his experience as a parent and the decision to follow a professional opportunity in a different city was particularly difficult.

Talking about those feelings wasn't easy. That chapter likely took me three months to even crank out a first draft.

Global Connections

The memoir additionally covers his travels to Johannesburg and the Nigerian metropolis, drawing parallels between his hometown and different global urban centers. He suggests that Baltimore acts as a small-scale representation of broader social issues, including economic conflict and ethnic segregation.

Ultimately, Burney presents Baltimore as a primer to grasping complex social structures not just in the U.S., but across the western world.