[carol-baldwin Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I am writing an historical MG novel that takes place in NC in the south in 1950. I want to quote a flyer by the KKK that was distributed that had the N-word in it. What is appropriate to do? 

[mrh Posts: 4,826 Status: Offline www.marciahoehne.com]

I would not, unless you are Black. You can probably find a way to quote a few words that imply the tone of the flyer without using that one. You could also have a character react to a word they read in the flyer without saying what the word is.

[Vijaya Posts: 7,104 Status: Offline Encourage]

Carol and yeah, sticky topic indeed. Is there a way to refer to the flyer without using the N-word? Show the hatred of the KKK. Let your characters feel that hatred upon seeing the flyer.

[Pons Posts: 2,482 Status: Offline]

I wouldn't. The word is so emotionally charged and heavy with ugly history that it's just better to let it go.

[carol-baldwin Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you, Pons. How about "Negro" ?

[andracill Posts: 5,726 Status: Offline Worlds within...screaming to get out!]

I personally think that historically accurate language is fine (such as 'negro'), but I would definitely avoid words that have truly negative connotations.

[carol-baldwin Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you, Robin. I appreciate your thoughts.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,068 Status: Offline Language is so cool!]

This is such a balancing act. You want your characters to be authentic to the time. Negro would work. (The actual N-word would be too hurtful.) Be careful not to force a modern reaction to the words on characters that wouldn't react that way. Be true to the era and the people you are writing.

[carol-baldwin Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you, Debbie. It is a balancing act, for sure!!