How can I take part in a literature lesson without reading a racial slur aloud?

The teacher reached my turn in the passage and said, "Read it as the author wrote it." I said I would read the sentence but omit the slur. The room went quiet.

We're studying how the novel portrays prejudice. I am willing to analyse the word's use and its effect in the scene. I don't want to say it aloud as my contribution to the lesson. The teacher thinks changing the reading hides the ugliness we are meant to examine.

We stopped before settling it, and the passage continues next lesson. How can I explain the distinction without pretending the word isn't in the book? I'd like an agreed way to participate, rather than another public exchange about whether my refusal means I won't study the text.