Chinese Netizens Respond to Steve Kerr’s Speech on Texas Shooting

In the wake of the elementary school shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, Steve Kerr, coach of NBA team Golden State Warrior, delivered an emotionally charged speech on May 25. Kerr’s speech, which has gone viral, has profoundly impacted audiences worldwide, including in China.

In addition to condemning the U.S. government’s inaction on gun control, Kerr asked Republican senators to take immediate action.

“When are we going to do something? I am tired. I am so tired of getting up here and offering condolences to the devastated families out there. I’m tired of the moments of silence. Enough,” said Kerr.

Steve Kerr on today's tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas. pic.twitter.com/lsJ8RzPcmC

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 24, 2022

An advocate for increased firearm control, Kerr has been personally affected by gun violence; his father was tragically shot to death by terrorists in Beirut, Lebanon, while assuming the role of president of the American University of Beirut.

Many, including Golden State’s star player Stephen Curry, were quick to show their solidarity with Kerr’s words on Twitter.

Steph Curry. Image via Weibo

On Weibo, Chinese netizens have been supportive of Kerr’s message. Given the NBA team’s solid fan base in China, the hashtag related to Curry’s retweet gained more than 86 million views in just a few days.

Conveying a whole spectrum of emotions, comments under the hashtag range from incensed (“Every chapter of American history is marked by exploitation”) to sarcastic (“Just curious, do citizens or senators hold power in the U.S.?”).

A handful of commenters in China appear more sympathetic than others.

“Every life deserves to be cherished. It’s a shame to see brash and ironic comments under such sad news,” reads one comment, while another goes, “Shouldn’t we all mourn for lost lives? Why can’t we separate individual lives from politics?”

Cover photo via Twitter