cleverest way to help my friend combat racism in this stupid town

[living small]

 to repost in another topic

[Poundwise]

This should be a shocking story, but unfortunately all too common these days (and in the past).

I'm afraid that the best advice I could give is for your friend to move anyway. Be a model minority.  Take care of the lawn. Invite friendly neighbors over for barbecues.  Be regular folks. And blow their minds about what they are assuming about people of other races. Integrate and infiltrate.

Also, this patient may not be representative of the whole neighborhood. Sometimes the most ignorant folks in a group have the loudest mouths. 

Of course, they will continue to hold their racist opinions for a long, long, time. But now they will be able to say comfortably to themselves, "but I'm not a racist because I have a black friend!" And over time, if they are at heart decent, they will begin to feel ashamed of some of their old opinions. 

And for you, as a non-minority friend, be sure to help her move and get together a group of friends to help her.  Attend those barbecues and support her socially and materially (since it sounds like she will be struggling.)

I am speaking as a minority and a reformed homophobe, converted to a supporter of LGBTQ rights by a now-dear friend who is a lesbian. And this change happened only within two years of meeting her for the first time. My old opinions were due entirely to ignorance.

By the way, this belongs in the Off-Topic forum... see if you can ask the moderators to move it for you.

[Happy Little Chipmunk]

I applaud your caring and desire to help a person who is dear to you. The problem with clever is that you don't live in the neighborhood, your friend does. And making missteps while trying to make a grand statement will bite her, not you. As Poundwise so wisely states:

Integrate and infiltrate.

I suggest asking your friend how you can support her, without dumping all your angst on her capable shoulders. She has been living in her skin for awhile and probably has some thoughts about how she can make this move work for her family. Perhaps she needed to vent and you are a safe person to do that with. That's a great gift to give to a person; you don't need to (and can't) solve this situation for her.

But you can be an excellent friend and ally. Show up with food and be neighborly to everyone. Give her the gift of helping her shine in public. If she needs to be snarky in private to burn off anger, help her do that safely. And then keep those comments underwraps.

I agree also that

Sometimes the most ignorant folks in a group have the loudest mouths.

so let people reveal themselves for who they are and try to avoid assumptions....

[living small]

Thank you for your insightful comments.

And yes, my angst is here, not transferred to her shoulders. that's why I put it here. My role is friend, a listening friend.

And no, I would never dream of doing anything, but its fun to think about and a humorous way to diffuse tension, which  I know my friend appreciates.

Update: We talked more about the situation. She is worried about the kids, as would I, if anyone has ill intent towards them.

I think we will be hoping with some home repairs for them to get things ready for market.  so, we will see.

Part of the angst is in realizing that I may also be living next to people who may feel this way, but have not made any comment because of how I look, which is terrifying.