End of the day, you have to be true to yourself. If you can close your eyes to what you know just to be accepted by others, you'll live a shallow life without authenticity. If you stand strong, others, like your friend, are going to walk away. It's sad, but you'll have inner peace for doing the right thing.
I've had friends cut me out of their lives because of politics. I've never been confrontational or overbearing. As far as I'm concerned, our friendship doesn't have to have any politics in it. Let's talk about our families, community, and hobbies. But, no, there are people who can't abide someone thinking differently from them. They have to push their politics.
Sure, it's sad when a friend thinks the worst of you. But I don't do that repressive blackmail nonsense where "I can only be your friend if you agree with me." You'll never convince your friend, because that's not what he wants. He wants you to bend the knee and agree with him.
Let's think about White Fragility. I've felt bad about circumstances happening to other people, but it never meant I could skip out on classes or take time off work.
During Vietnam, everyone had relatives and friends who died. No one got out of work or school. You sucked it up and went on. White Resiliency? No, just people not letting life get them down. There are plenty of Black people who are strong, too, just not the social justice warriors.
Congratulations!