When we say someone is American, what image does this conjure? What does it mean to be an American? Why is white-American not something we say, but Asian-American and African-American are commonly accepted dialogue? What do hyphenated identities say about belonging in this country? Whose voices and stories have been drowned out in the construction of the quintessential American narrative? Listen as we explore how race and religion play a role in what it means to be an “ideological” American. In my conversation with Alexis, humility, sensitivity, curiosity and empathy are highlighted as the necessary spiritual virtues helping us to understand the role of race and religion in America. The dominant narrative of the American people has been written by a very specific group of people, commonly considered WASP’s (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants). Acknowledging this, allows us to think expansively past the mainstream understanding of history. This requires massive amounts of humility. Recognizing that much of the history taught and school and passed down through the media has been controlled by a dominant party in power requires the individual to accept their belief patterns as faulty. This is a premium example of humility at work. Who had power and who continues to have power are not the only history makers in what has become the United States. Igniting curiosity about how cultures outside of those in power, allows us to recognize not only a more robust history of our country, but a more accurate one. Curiosity and sensitivity to the plethora of narratives that have contributed to our nation, allows us to see the humanity in others. Sensitivity to the cultural knowledge and power of enslaved people that were forcefully brought to this country helps us to understand a richer history of American origins. For a comprehensive understanding of America, we need the virtue of sensitivity to internalize that we are talking about people with thoughts and dreams who have contributed to this country’s economy and culture. With this, we are then able to feel empathy for those whose sweat and blood is ingrained into what we know as America.