In his work, Johnson (2006) describes “the luxury of obliviousness”; the privilege of moving through life without having to think much about race, gender, or systemic inequality.
For many BIPOC employees, this “luxury” doesn’t exist.
We walk into rooms and must constantly read the air, deciding how much of ourselves is safe to bring.
We constantly self-monitor:
🔸 Rewriting emails to sound “less direct”
🔸 Working twice as hard just to be seen as “competent“
🔸 Smiling through micro-aggressions so we don’t seem “too sensitive”
Meanwhile, others move through the same systems without ever noticing these invisible burdens—because they don’t have to.
They move through the same spaces with the ease of being assumed worthy, neutral, or qualified—without scrutiny or second-guessing.
🎯 It’s not about assigning blame; it’s about awareness.
If we want truly inclusive workplaces, we need to name the dynamics that invisibly shape how people feel, show up, and are treated.
✅ This is why anti-oppressive policies matter.
✅ This is why leadership must go beyond statements and listen to lived experiences.
✅ Let’s make space for uncomfortable truths.
BIPOC professionals in positions of power or privilege also need to reflect on how this luxury shows up in our lives.
💬 Have you witnessed or experienced the luxury of obliviousness at work?
How can we move from awareness to action in creating equitable workplaces for all?
Leave us a comment below.