John Cena makes a wonderful new friend
June 9, 2022 1:29 PM Subscribe
John Cena meets Misha, a teenager with Down syndrome who fled Ukraine after his home was destroyed (YouTube). To motivate Misha on their journey to safety, his mother told him the fantasy that they were on their way to find Cena. They spent the afternoon building blocks and eating cake.
More details: Wall Street Journal article (paywall, saved as screenshots in this tweet)
More details: Wall Street Journal article (paywall, saved as screenshots in this tweet)
Gosh there's a lot of dust and smoke outside of Amsterdam, isn't there. Really got something in my eyes, here.
posted by alex_skazat at 2:13 PM on June 9, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by alex_skazat at 2:13 PM on June 9, 2022 [13 favorites]
Good, good stuff!
Gee, it’s nice when humans get it right.
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 2:29 PM on June 9, 2022 [8 favorites]
Gee, it’s nice when humans get it right.
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 2:29 PM on June 9, 2022 [8 favorites]
Gosh there's a lot of dust and smoke outside of Amsterdam
Yep, here in Seattle, too.
posted by doctor_negative at 2:36 PM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Yep, here in Seattle, too.
posted by doctor_negative at 2:36 PM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
There was a WSJ article previous to this about Misha and other people with disabilities and their struggles during the war and leaving Ukraine. It was remarkable well-written in that it said, (I paraphrase.) "This is Misha, he has Downs Syndrome which affects him in these ways." and then the article just went forward in describing the plight of people and families. It never dropped into stereotypes or pity or any of the tropes so often seen when writing about people who just happen to have intellectual or physical differences.
That type of writing is so rare when most articles or portrayals focus on intellectual and other disabilties as, "Inspiration Porn."
posted by ITravelMontana at 2:55 PM on June 9, 2022 [13 favorites]
That type of writing is so rare when most articles or portrayals focus on intellectual and other disabilties as, "Inspiration Porn."
posted by ITravelMontana at 2:55 PM on June 9, 2022 [13 favorites]
I'm a pro wrestling fan, and being a pro wrestling fan nowadays means that sooner or later you're going to have to pay some attention to John Cena, even if your fandom came too late for you to have ever seen the man wrestle. No matter; he's well worth paying attention too even now that he's moved on, for a couple of reasons.
One reason is that he's very funny. This is the easiest way to come to like John Cena, finding him funny. He's been in a couple of Hollywood studio movies, and so far, a lot of those movies have relied on his wit. That choice, to rely on John Cena's wit, is well-founded, because he's fucking sharp as a tack, very self-aware, and perceptive enough to sense opportunities to make someone laugh, or smile.
The second reason, and the better reason, is that John Cena is more committed to public acts of kindness than any other human being currently living. That's a big claim I'm making, but it's also a very specific claim. John Cena acts on every opportunity to be kind in public that comes to his attention, and because he's smart and perceptive, a lot of those opportunities do. He is, last I heard, responsible for more Make-a-Wish Foundation wishes granted than anyone else. I can't imagine the kind of moral strength that takes, to visit that many ill children in the very extremity of their illness, over and over and over again.
This video pretty much confirms that second point. John Cena heard about, and decided to act upon, an opportunity to be kind to some people who badly needed some kindness, and for whom he was UNIQUELY positioned to be the guy to provide it. That's an easy story to feel really happy about. It's also an easy story to feel really sad about, because there are a lot of people in need of kindness right now, and the situation in Ukraine has only made that more urgently true than we've grown accustomed to.
Hat's off, John. I couldn't do what you do every day.
posted by Ipsifendus at 4:13 PM on June 9, 2022 [54 favorites]
One reason is that he's very funny. This is the easiest way to come to like John Cena, finding him funny. He's been in a couple of Hollywood studio movies, and so far, a lot of those movies have relied on his wit. That choice, to rely on John Cena's wit, is well-founded, because he's fucking sharp as a tack, very self-aware, and perceptive enough to sense opportunities to make someone laugh, or smile.
The second reason, and the better reason, is that John Cena is more committed to public acts of kindness than any other human being currently living. That's a big claim I'm making, but it's also a very specific claim. John Cena acts on every opportunity to be kind in public that comes to his attention, and because he's smart and perceptive, a lot of those opportunities do. He is, last I heard, responsible for more Make-a-Wish Foundation wishes granted than anyone else. I can't imagine the kind of moral strength that takes, to visit that many ill children in the very extremity of their illness, over and over and over again.
This video pretty much confirms that second point. John Cena heard about, and decided to act upon, an opportunity to be kind to some people who badly needed some kindness, and for whom he was UNIQUELY positioned to be the guy to provide it. That's an easy story to feel really happy about. It's also an easy story to feel really sad about, because there are a lot of people in need of kindness right now, and the situation in Ukraine has only made that more urgently true than we've grown accustomed to.
Hat's off, John. I couldn't do what you do every day.
posted by Ipsifendus at 4:13 PM on June 9, 2022 [54 favorites]
John Cena is only vaguely on my radar as a wrestler -- he started wrestling after I stopped watching it with my Dad -- and as a movie star who is maybe not as far along in that transition as Dwayne Johnson is, but man, I see stories about him on the regular as a guy who is using his fame to put more kindness into the world, and that's really cool.
posted by jacquilynne at 4:39 PM on June 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 4:39 PM on June 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
yes lpsifendus, 100%. I don't care too much for wrestling, but this guy is... almost too good to be true? I'm not trying to disparage the guy, but when you start to read up on him, he's just capital-G Good. I think he's done more Make-a-Wish showings than every other person combined? It's hundreds and hundreds, in addition to his career.
Plus, he's coming from a part of the entertainment world that is generally right-leaning, but he's worked hard to show compassion and tolerance to basically EVERYBODY. I read somewhere that he was integral in making Peacemaker, the DC superhero he plays, bisexual. He has at least as much charisma as Dwayne Johnson, but can you imagine Johnson ever being political about anything ever?
Basically I put John Cena up there with Keanu Reeves as the two hollywood stars who are actually good guys.
posted by nushustu at 4:41 PM on June 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
Plus, he's coming from a part of the entertainment world that is generally right-leaning, but he's worked hard to show compassion and tolerance to basically EVERYBODY. I read somewhere that he was integral in making Peacemaker, the DC superhero he plays, bisexual. He has at least as much charisma as Dwayne Johnson, but can you imagine Johnson ever being political about anything ever?
Basically I put John Cena up there with Keanu Reeves as the two hollywood stars who are actually good guys.
posted by nushustu at 4:41 PM on June 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
*I'm a pro wrestling fan*
I am a sports fan, played several sports competitively through college and some after, and I am most emphatically not a "Pro Wrestling" fan (I was a high school wrestler, fwiw). I can go on and on about how awful it is. I hatez it.
But having seen a small fraction of the good that John Cena does just because he has chosen to use the platform he's been given to do good, not to self aggrandize, and not to tear down, it's totally worth having that crap in the world.
posted by kjs3 at 4:46 PM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
I am a sports fan, played several sports competitively through college and some after, and I am most emphatically not a "Pro Wrestling" fan (I was a high school wrestler, fwiw). I can go on and on about how awful it is. I hatez it.
But having seen a small fraction of the good that John Cena does just because he has chosen to use the platform he's been given to do good, not to self aggrandize, and not to tear down, it's totally worth having that crap in the world.
posted by kjs3 at 4:46 PM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
People are missing the other kindness he showed, to Misha's mother Liana. Because as necessary as it may have been, I'd imagine that telling her son a fantasy to help get him to safety tore her up.
And then Cena comes in, and in doing so tells her "you didn't lie to him." And from what I've read about him, I imagine that he understood that as well.
posted by NoxAeternum at 5:10 PM on June 9, 2022 [48 favorites]
And then Cena comes in, and in doing so tells her "you didn't lie to him." And from what I've read about him, I imagine that he understood that as well.
posted by NoxAeternum at 5:10 PM on June 9, 2022 [48 favorites]
That John Cena is a good egg.
posted by zardoz at 5:26 PM on June 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by zardoz at 5:26 PM on June 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
That type of writing is so rare when most articles or portrayals focus on intellectual and other disabilties as, "Inspiration Porn."
I gotta admit, that this was in the freaking WSJ -- and that they seem to have involvement beyond simply writing the story, based on Cena's tweet -- threw me for a serious loop.
I remember when John Cena first appeared on my radar (beyond just simple name recognition), it was this video. Which remains virtually the only "celebrity PSA" that doesn't make me want to hurl from vapid treacle.
posted by bjrubble at 5:45 PM on June 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
I gotta admit, that this was in the freaking WSJ -- and that they seem to have involvement beyond simply writing the story, based on Cena's tweet -- threw me for a serious loop.
I remember when John Cena first appeared on my radar (beyond just simple name recognition), it was this video. Which remains virtually the only "celebrity PSA" that doesn't make me want to hurl from vapid treacle.
posted by bjrubble at 5:45 PM on June 9, 2022 [15 favorites]
If anything bad comes out about John Cena, I am going to burn everything down. I get he's human and therefore flawed, but he is such a compassionate and charming presence. He also has such a good sense of humor about himself.
I like what he said in the video -- to the effect that he read the story, was nearby and just decided "yeah, I'm going to go see them." Like it was absolutely not a question. Yes, he said he was nearby & had some days off but I also think he would've figured it out otherwise.
posted by edencosmic at 6:15 PM on June 9, 2022 [7 favorites]
I like what he said in the video -- to the effect that he read the story, was nearby and just decided "yeah, I'm going to go see them." Like it was absolutely not a question. Yes, he said he was nearby & had some days off but I also think he would've figured it out otherwise.
posted by edencosmic at 6:15 PM on June 9, 2022 [7 favorites]
Tank!
posted by hypnogogue at 7:38 PM on June 9, 2022
posted by hypnogogue at 7:38 PM on June 9, 2022
To motivate Misha on their journey to safety, his mother told him the fantasy that they were on their way to find Cena. They spent the afternoon building blocks and eating cake.
Please tell me someone is working on an adaptation.
In no way do I intend to minimize the struggles Misha and his mother went through. They were incredibly brave in the face of an insane situation. It's just, like, that's an A24 plotline if I've ever heard one.
posted by ZaphodB at 11:12 PM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Please tell me someone is working on an adaptation.
In no way do I intend to minimize the struggles Misha and his mother went through. They were incredibly brave in the face of an insane situation. It's just, like, that's an A24 plotline if I've ever heard one.
posted by ZaphodB at 11:12 PM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
First his wiffle-waffle on Taiwan and his groveling appeasement of the authorities in the PRC, and now this genuinely touching and heartfelt generosity. Why can't people just be comic book caricatures instead of complex, layered individuals???
posted by 1adam12 at 3:34 AM on June 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by 1adam12 at 3:34 AM on June 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
Realistically, a pro-Taiwan statement from Cena doesn’t really do anything for Taiwan. Being banned in China would mean he would never be cast in a major movie again. It sucks, but it seems like a totally reasonable decision. Though it might be fun to watch his career after he had to switch entirely to indie films that were not big enough to depend on the Chinese box office.
posted by snofoam at 4:10 AM on June 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by snofoam at 4:10 AM on June 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
bjrubble, that video made me cry when it first aired years ago, just like it did this morning. Extremely effective use of small-town Main Street USA imagery, with bunting and flags and jacked John Cena, against the words and the background characters, and then the cutaway videos, to show that the "average American" is not, in fact, a cishet-presenting white able-bodied man. I had a similar reaction to the 2020 pandemic DNC "Roll Call Across America."
I loved the part in the Misha video where they were comparing biceps curls. And swapping T-shirts! Oh brilliant. I needed this today.
posted by basalganglia at 5:20 AM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I loved the part in the Misha video where they were comparing biceps curls. And swapping T-shirts! Oh brilliant. I needed this today.
posted by basalganglia at 5:20 AM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I don't follow wrestling so when he was on Psych I just assumed he was just another actor specializing in "action" roles. Later on, I learned who he was and what he does for kids. It's not an act.
posted by tommasz at 5:29 AM on June 10, 2022
posted by tommasz at 5:29 AM on June 10, 2022
Later on, I learned who he was and what he does for kids. It's not an act.
I can't remember where this trivium came from, but I seem to recall reading that John Cena has fulfilled more Make-A-Wish kid requests than every other WWE wrestler combined.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 7:18 AM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I can't remember where this trivium came from, but I seem to recall reading that John Cena has fulfilled more Make-A-Wish kid requests than every other WWE wrestler combined.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 7:18 AM on June 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yup, and I just love the picture on the top of this article.
posted by Harald74 at 7:27 AM on June 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Harald74 at 7:27 AM on June 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
Jesus. I didn't watch the video (yet) but this comment:
posted by mmascolino at 7:47 AM on June 11, 2022 [2 favorites]
And then Cena comes in, and in doing so tells her "you didn't lie to him." And from what I've read about him, I imagine that he understood that as well.reduced me to a blubbering mess in the time it took me to read those two sentences.
posted by mmascolino at 7:47 AM on June 11, 2022 [2 favorites]
Time to pause, smile, and savor once again the Peacemaker opening credits.
posted by Ber at 9:46 AM on June 11, 2022
posted by Ber at 9:46 AM on June 11, 2022
« Older Ecce Logo | The Almost Complete History of Kill Rock Stars Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by The Power Nap at 1:47 PM on June 9, 2022