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Lawrence Burney's latest book, No Sense in Wishing, merges the intimate with the political in a memoir that functions as a homage to Baltimore. The volume examines the creative and cultural forces that shaped his journey, weaving together subjects of family, parenthood, and institutional challenges.

The Politicized View on the City

The author points out that Baltimore has for decades been politicized and racialized. Burney recalls his early essays on law enforcement violence, prompted by the Freddie Gray incident and his own family experiences. As time passed, his method evolved to a increasingly historical viewpoint, examining Baltimore's legacy of segregation and redlining.

The city has probably the worst PR of any city in the United States.

Burney contends that regardless of societal problems, the city's reputation is frequently misrepresented by media coverage. Exceptional creative work and music arise from the community, yet they often go overlooked by mainstream audiences.

Platforming Local Creatives

Through his zine True Laurels, Burney sought to highlight local artists frequently overlooked by larger outlets. A notable piece centered on a rapper called Young Moose, who encountered reportedly police harassment. While Burney's reporting, the officers involved were indicted with federal offenses, revealing deep-rooted corruption.

• The case illustrated discriminatory and class-based law enforcement practices.
• Burney stressed that not all Black communities face the same degree of surveillance.

Affective Range and Personal Reflection

This memoir balances devastating experiences with lighthearted ones, mirroring the multifaceted essence of human experience. The author focused on eliciting affective responses in the audience, arguing that emotion outweighs craft-based skill in cultural production.

He discussed how artists like the rapper profoundly impacted his life, questioning perceptions of masculinity and selfhood.

Vulnerability and Personal Growth

Reflecting about personal subjects—such as going to church, before-school care, and being a parent—required considerable openness. He admitted that addressing his role as a father and the choice to pursue a career chance in a different city was particularly challenging.

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

Global Parallels

The book additionally includes Burney's journeys to the South African city and the Nigerian metropolis, drawing connections between his hometown and other global cities. The author suggests that the city acts as a microcosm of wider social issues, such as class tension and ethnic division.

Ultimately, Burney offers the city as a introduction to understanding complex societal systems not only in the U.S., but throughout the western world.