USWNT's Carli Lloyd Defends Herself For Standing During National Anthem

USWNT's Carli Lloyd is in hot water over her choice to stand for the national anthem. We're not sure what all the fuss is about, but here's the footage so you can judge for yourself:

"I think the beauty of this team is that we stand behind each other, no matter what," Lloyd said postgame. "And you know, players decided to kneel, some players decided to stand, and at the end of the day, we have each other's backs."

"Ultimately, we're here to support one another in any way that we can and that's what's amazing about this team," she added.

There's controversy over that statement? No, there isn't. Her statement isn't the problem. The real problem is that she stood for the national anthem, while other players knelt. Our national media has become an echo chamber that seeks to separate conservative and liberal voices. Many on social media presume that players who are personally against kneeling must be part of the political opposition. It's sad that this is how our national media spends their time.

The conversation gets even worse

Our divide in this instance has nothing to do with Carli Lloyd's statement, as @Jenstjude's reply clearly illustrates:

"Weird way to say 'Some white players care more about their own feelings/beliefs than showing solidarity and support to their black teammates,' but OK, Carli," the clown wrote.

"Solidarity" used to mean being supportive of others and providing a safe environment for expression. Now, anyone who chooses to go against BLM's agenda is seen as an enemy of the media, especially social media.

We'd love to say Twitter and Instagram weren't important, but that's where the majority of sports fans get their information. It's become increasingly difficult to think for ourselves on these platforms the way Carli Lloyd did yesterday, and that should change. We sure hope Carli doesn't apologize because she did nothing wrong. If she bends the knee to cancel culture like many others have, we'll be taking a major step backward.

Unity is not the goal

Our national media isn't trying to unite us the way President-elect Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders have claimed. If you asked Jen St. Jude why she felt Carli Lloyd's words were unsupportive of "black teammates," she wouldn't have an answer.

Her claim would be a jumbled response indicating that Lloyd should have knelt in "solidarity" with her black teammates. Carli Lloyd's opinion is no longer important. St. Jude wants Lloyd to silence her true perspective.

Twitter is currently in the process of banning conservative voices from their platform, so this trend will only get worse. Carli Lloyd is a big name who could set the threatening example that we can disagree and still get along. The media fears that kind of true unity, and that's why Lloyd is in hot water.

Hang in there, Carli. We need you.