Seeking Advice on Navigating Racial Language in Texts (English II & Comparative Lit)

Hi everyone,
This year, I’ll be teaching English II to sophomores and an elective in Comparative Literature. Some of the texts we’ll be reading include strong racial language that reflects their historical and social contexts. For example, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail includes the n-word, with both the “-o” and hard “-er” endings, as part of its quoted material.

As this is my first year teaching at the high school level, I’m looking for guidance on how to approach such language in the classroom. I don’t want to censor these texts, but I also want to create a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.

How have you navigated this with your students? What strategies, framing, or discussions have helped you handle these moments with care and purpose?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.