Steve Kerr anticipated the backlash. He foresaw it coming and had no qualms about addressing it.

“I can already imagine the ‘shut up and whistle’ tweets pouring in,” Kerr remarked. “But I realized that it was my duty as an American citizen to speak up during such a crucial election.”

These comments were made by Kerr at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, where he was among the night’s most compelling speakers.

We won’t delve into the various individuals or groups criticizing Kerr; you can easily find that information online. It’s the usual suspects.

The backlash against Kerr has intensified this time, which is quite remarkable considering the usual level of scrutiny. However, this heightened criticism stems from more than just his speech at the DNC.

A long-standing truth regarding Kerr and the right-wing media holds: they are afraid of him.

In fact, they are greatly unsettled by him. The right-wing has a known aversion to all progressive figures in sports, but Kerr faces particularly intense criticism. Why is that?

For individuals like Donald Trump and networks like Fox News, Kerr embodies a significant threat because he is a supporter of Black and brown communities. Trump’s strategy revolves around creating division based on race; typical “us versus them” rhetoric. This agenda becomes much trickier when someone like Kerr—who aligns with those the right deems adversaries—speaks out.

Kerr disrupts this entire narrative. You can’t promote division when someone who fits the profile of “us” stands in solidarity with “them.”

Steve Kerr is among the most influential political activists of our era. Like Gregg Popovich, he stands out as a significant white activist. This identity complicates attempts to vilify him when compared to figures like Colin Kaepernick. Kerr draws vehement criticism simply for not conforming to the expectations placed upon him. They expect him to support Trump rather than endorse leaders like Kamala Harris or express progressive ideals.

Another reason the right fears Kerr is his effectiveness as a speaker. He possesses a remarkable ability to articulate his views.

This has been the case for quite a while. Kerr publicly criticized Trump back in 2017, when the former president used derogatory language regarding NFL protestors and Kaepernick.

“This is why we struggle to connect with the president; instead of fostering unity and soothing tensions, he perpetuates them,” Kerr stated during an interview with CNN’s David Axelrod. “His tweets demonstrate this daily. Using terms like ‘sons of b——‘ to refer to NFL players protesting racial injustice and police violence is unacceptable. Is that really how you, as President of the United States, refer to them?”

“It’s baffling to think that you would label them in such a way, especially when one of those players, Kaepernick, is protesting peacefully—a fundamental right in our democracy. That’s hard to take. This particular insult stung the most because it was so divisive and aggressive; it made no sense.”

Coach Steve Kerr endorses Kamala Harris for President, tells Donald Trump ‘night night’

Kerr has also been a prominent champion for gun control, expressing outrage after the tragic shooting in Texas.

“Just earlier today, 14 children and a teacher were killed 400 miles from here. In the last ten days alone, we’ve seen elderly Black individuals shot in a supermarket and Asian congregation members targeted in Southern California, alongside children being murdered at school,” he lamented.

“When are we going to take action?” Kerr demanded, pounding the table. “I’m exhausted from continually providing condolences to families who are suffering.”

This is Steve Kerr—a thoughtful, articulate individual who refuses to remain silent.

And he sends a chill down the spines of the right-wing.