Entertainment

John Cena: If You Judge Someone Based On A Label, You’re Not Patriotic

(Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Brandon Katz Contributor
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John Cena, one of the most popular professional wrestlers of all time, gave his take on what it means to be American in a new advertisement for the Fourth of July.

“To love America is to love all Americans,” he says.

“This year, patriotism shouldn’t just be about pride of country. It should be about love, love beyond age, disability, sexuality, race, religion and any other labels. Because the second any of us judge people based on those labels, we’re not really being patriotic, are we?” Cena says.

Cena opens up about a handful of hot-button issues in this new version of R/GA’s “Love Has No Labels” campaign for the Ad Council. He discusses the meaning of patriotism, the importance of Americans remaining united and not divided by their beliefs, and much more.

The ad sees Cena, who has successfully crossed over into the world of acting in the last few years, strolling through a standard American town, talking to the camera about love for this country. The ad emphasizes the diversity of America as we see people from all walks of life, including: Latinos, gays, Muslims, senior citizens, African-Americans, disabled people and more. The theme is acceptance regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or appearance.

“We are America,” the tagline reads.

Lisa Sherman, president and CEO of the Ad Council, hopes that messages reaches people this year.

“At a time when it feels hard for our country to find common ground, we need to remind audiences that to celebrate America is to celebrate all Americans,” she said. “We’re so proud to continue the ‘Love Has No Labels’ message as part of the July 4 holiday and throughout the year. ‘We Are America’ illuminates what we already know — that Americans today cover the full spectrum of age, sexuality, ability, race and religion. And this message is just as important now as ever.”