Should I include the word "negro" in my MLK blog post? [View all]
I work for an archive at a university. My specific job is to process the collection donated by a local newspaper (its a big, metropolitan paper). I do blog posts highlighting different photos from the collection. I usually write the caption that the paper had accompanying the photo so that people can see exactly what was said about the photo/event during that time (not sure if people realize that or take it into account). So I am doing a post for MLK day (which is monday). The post has about 20 pictures of MLK in the area. One of the captions says the following:
"Dr. King hits at Northern slums in New York talk...Describes five negro ghettos of Nassau County," May 13, 1965
Ok, so do I include that as the caption for the post? The reasons why Im thinking yes are:
1. It captures the zeitgeist of the time.
2. The word was rather common then, Ive heard MLK use it in recordings of interviews
3. It is literally what the paper said when it was published.
Reasons why I am thinking no:
1. It is racist as shit.
2. It could cause a stink among people who read it.
3. My boss and her boss may catch flak.
4. The flak will then be received by me.
What do I do?!?!?
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