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Lawrence B.'s newest book, No Sense in Wishing, combines the personal with the societal in a autobiography that serves as a tribute to Baltimore. The volume explores the creative and cultural influences that shaped his life, intertwining collectively themes of family, fatherhood, and systemic issues.

A Political Lens on Baltimore

Burney notes that Baltimore has long been viewed through a political lens and racialized. He reflects on his early essays on law enforcement violence, prompted by the Freddie Gray case and personal family experiences. Over time, his approach evolved to a more contextual viewpoint, analyzing the city's legacy of segregation and discriminatory housing policies.

Baltimore has arguably the most damaging PR of any city in America.

Burney contends that despite societal ills, the urban image is frequently distorted by media coverage. Exceptional creative work and music emerge from Baltimore, yet these contributions often remain unnoticed by wider viewers.

Elevating Community Creatives

Through his zine True Laurels, Burney aimed to highlight local talents often ignored by larger media. One notable piece involved a rapper called Young Moose, who faced alleged police harassment. During his reporting, the cops involved were indicted with federal crimes, exposing systemic misconduct.

• The situation illustrated discriminatory and class-based law enforcement practices.
• He stressed that not all African American neighborhoods experience the same degree of policing.

Affective Depth and Intimate Reflection

This book balances devastating experiences with humorous ones, mirroring the multifaceted essence of life. Burney concentrated on eliciting affective reactions in readers, arguing that emotion outweighs craft-based skill in art.

Burney discussed how artists like Lupe Fiasco profoundly influenced his life, questioning notions of manhood and selfhood.

Openness and Self-Discovery

Writing about private topics—such as going to church, before-school care, and fatherhood—required significant openness. He admitted that addressing his experience as a father and the decision to pursue a career chance in another location was particularly challenging.

Writing about these emotions wasn't easy. That chapter likely took me three months to just crank out a first draft.

Global Parallels

The memoir additionally includes Burney's journeys to Johannesburg and Lagos, establishing connections between his hometown and different global cities. The author suggests that Baltimore acts as a small-scale representation of wider social issues, including class conflict and racial segregation.

Ultimately, Burney presents Baltimore as a introduction to understanding complicated social structures not just in America, but throughout the western world.