There's nothing wrong with being public in your support.

mrsconn23

Dear Prudence,

I live in a small, progressive town in a progressive state. We have our challenges like all communities, but until recently I didn’t believe racism was a big issue. It’s not something you see or hear about ever. One of our elected officials is a Black man. He has great vision and has done amazing things for our community. Recently, the town received threatening, racist voicemails directed at this leader. The perpetrator was arrested and jailed. Guns were confiscated from his home. How do we show our support for this leader and his family in our community? Are personal, private expressions of support and sympathy enough?

—Not in My Town

STARMOON44

If you live in the US, and believe your town is magically not racist, that’s a dangerous fantasy you need to work on unlearning. And no. Keeping your claimed support secret is not the way. 

charlotte989875

Your town isn’t immune from racism, even if it’s run by Black Democrats. Find a public way to support the mayor, and your BIPOC neighbors. Keeping quiet isn’t enough. 

banana468

STARMOON44 said:

If you live in the US, and believe your town is magically not racist, that’s a dangerous fantasy you need to work on unlearning. And no. Keeping your claimed support secret is not the way. 

All of this. 

VarunaTT

...but until recently I didn’t believe racism was a big issue. It’s not something you see or hear about ever.

This reeks of not having enough black friends or being trusted by those black friends to believe/support their experiences of racism where they live, b/c it has absolutely happened.

Are personal, private expressions of support and sympathy enough?
Honestly, what?  This reeks of WHY you thought there wasn't racism in your town, b/c no one talks about it, it's just "personal private expressions".  If you want to find something, start looking at what community groups are doing and join in.  If there's nothing, put the word out on social media to have a rally outside the government building he works to support him.  Send letters to the editor.  Donate or volunteer to a re-election fund.  If you don't want to do anything, don't, but FFS, don't ask for validation from an outside party to make you feel better about it, own it.

Jen4948

No. Personal expressions of support and sympathy are a start, but you need to do more - including being public about your support for the leader. If you keep it private and limit your responses to personal expressions of support and sympathy, you might as well be keeping your mouth shut.

If there's anything you can do that would make a difference, it would be getting behind this leader and publicly supporting him, both for reelection (if he's elected) and for the work that he does. Writing letters and editorials, organizing and/or hosting events, contributing to his campaigns, fundraising, canvassing voters, making phone calls, and posting on social media are all steps you can take to show public support for the leader.