Often times, there is a burden placed on leaders within our communities that is difficult to carry. From teachers to coaches to doctors to lawyers, Black leaders are expected to carry a weight that can often pull individuals down as they strive to take care of themselves and others. In a recent interview with KUSA, legal expert Whitney C. Traylor opened up about the burden he carries as a Black lawyer.
“I didn’t even realize I might be having mental health issues because I didn’t connect the dots and I feel that I am fairly self-aware and I didn’t realize it got to the point where I was crying randomly and frequently," Traylor said.
“For me, I had students, clients, or family and you can tend to put yourself to the side and not take care of yourself.”
Traylor also explained that he feels a burden as a Black lawyer working in a predominantly white space. In 2020, the American Bar Association reported that only 5% of lawyers are Black. However, Black Americans make up 38% of the prison population despite only being 13% of the U.S. population. Given the barriers that exist in American society, Traylor carries a weight on his shoulders every time he walks into a courtroom.
“I have been practicing for twenty-five years and I have never had a Black juror and I have had a lot of jury trials,” he explained.
“There is an additional pressure, I definitely think, if I don’t do a good job for this client, they will never hire a Black attorney again."
Unfortunately, Traylor's story is not unique. Over the last year, police brutality, political instability and economic suffering have caused symptoms of anxiety and depression to skyrocket.
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