In an online winter ethics class at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, two students connected in a way that rarely happens in today’s fragmented media environment — through sustained, thoughtful conversation. Separated by more than 500 miles and shaped by different life experiences, the students began exchanging emails outside of class, responding to course discussions about ideology, bias and the role of higher education. What followed was an extended dialogue that moved beyond assignments and into questions of identity, belief and lived experience. At a moment when public discourse is often reduced to slogans and labels, their exchange offers something different: a record of what it looks like to listen, challenge and reflect across disagreement. We are publishing excerpts of that correspondence with permission because it speaks to a core mission of journalism, not only to document conflict, but to create space for understanding. — William H. Freivogel, Publisher
From: Tomy, Anjana E <anjana.tomy@siu.edu>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2025 10:16:38 AM
To: DiDomenico, Phil C <philip.didomenico@siu.edu>
Subject: Hey Phil!!
Hey Phil,
I had an idea for an extra credit assignment because I work full-time and might eventually miss a discussion or two depending on my work schedule. Idk if this would even be accepted as extra credit but figured I’d write a little opinion piece/essay to send to the professor. That being said, it features you heavily and puts forth a hypothetical scenario. I wouldn’t want to submit it if you didn’t feel comfortable with it. So just look it over and if you’d rather I not turn it in, please feel free to let me know!! I won’t be offended or anything.
-Tomy
Purple Haze
Say we have no choice but to use the troubling, polarizing, tribalism and hostility-inducing two-party coloring system, with an Overton Window so profoundly disappointing in this millennia of human existence, that the shareholders of these United States seem dead set on pushing…
Based on our discussions thus far, one might infer that Phil is ‘red’ and I am ‘blue.’
Today, the argument was made by Phil that colleges and higher education institutions push a leftist agenda. I want to challenge this a little further and open a line of communication. Mostly because GPA is forever, and the way it’s currently looking, I really can’t afford to not get an A in this class. So I’m hoping this little op-ed, if you can call it that, will warrant some extra credit. Also, because I think it would’ve been a fun and informative discussion to have had if the course allowed for more time.
I would argue that it’s not colleges pushing a leftist agenda rather public higher education institutions often providing a space and opportunity for expansion of world views through meaningful human interactions. I’m someone who believes that humor, oftentimes dark, is one of the things that can really harmonize and sync the human experience. The ability to be able to laugh at something together that momentarily lowers shields and walls. That’s what it’s all about! This is where I gotta remind you, I’m often wrong. Today, Phil laughed at my corny joke of “ethically speaking, how open-note is it” regarding the test. So, in my silly little way of thinking, I’m inclined to believe that at least momentarily, Phil lowered his guard and he, who has already been very enthusiastic about open communication over the last two discussions, would now be even more open to meaningful discourse.
As the class progresses, especially as we touch some of the more heavy-hitting topics in the upcoming units, I would like to think that both Phil and I will find ourselves intentionally or unintentionally more affective and receptive to one another’s viewpoints. As conversations about constitutional rights, privacy in a post 9/11 United states and ethics during wartime come up, because words like ‘working party,’ ‘green weenie,’ and ‘silkies’ mean something unique to us, it brings forth yet another avenue in which kinship can be formed. A rapport that hopefully surpasses a broken color wheel. One which could lead to more conversations about ethics, rights and wrongs, and what the meaning of life on this floating rock is all about. About the life experiences that led us to subscribe to our current philosophical, political and ethical stances. Conversations which can lead to shifts in perspective on both our parts.
I don’t know Phil and to the best of my knowledge, Phil does not know me. I don’t even know if he prefers to be called Phil, Phillip or something else. I don’t know that our paths would’ve crossed if it weren’t for this class. However, since I’m operating under the staunchly held belief that humor brings people together, I’m hopeful that because thus far we’ve been some of the more chattier people in class, because he laughed at a joke I made and because we may have a shared experience or two to recall, going forward, both Phil and I would be more inclined to really hear each other. More so than if we were complete strangers. Now, we’re two complete strangers, likely with drastically different life experiences, who just so happen to both have distant memories of yellow footsteps. The shared experience of being classmates working towards a common goal having put us there.
This sharing of ideas, expansion of world views and change in perception—however minimal—is what I think, is often misrepresented as the leftist indoctrination that takes place in college. It can be particularly noticed on a much larger scale when you consider some conservative parents in the 2010s who sent their impressionable young daughters off to college only for them to come back as “radical leftists with armpit hair.” A turn of events that was simply a result being away from home and meeting a roommate, classmate or sharing a laugh with a drunken bathroom buddy by sheer happenstance and being exposed to ideas of feminism, intersectionality and socialism because of the lived experiences of that stranger.
This shift isn’t limited to a progressive lens. Especially when it comes to topics like Second Amendment and faith. It’s just less sensationalized when the shift takes on a more conservative trajectory. So, I’d say it’s not so much the college is pushing a leftist view. Rather, much like a seedy prison yard where a new faith is found, a quiet public library basement holding a reflective AA meeting where truths are held sacred, or crowded chow-hall full of smelly Lance Corporals bonding over regrettable APR’s on used Dodge Chargers, it is creating a space for exposure to people from diverse backgrounds with whom you’re sharing a unique experience. People who can then influence one another to challenge their existing belief systems through a shared mutual understanding. Higher education institutions, much like life’s other “big change” places provide access and exposure to nuance, critical thinking and space for sympathy towards the plight of ‘the other’ whom you can suddenly see in a shared lens through open civil discourse.
The argument could also be made that requiring a student to take media ethics as a humanities class is in and of itself, a prime example of the leftist agenda being pushed. But I’ll leave that extra credit to someone else. After all, who’s to say this is anything more than a hedonistic utilitarian attempt to score some extra credit and to make sure, I can miss a discussion or two and still get an A. My hope and belief though do maintain, that by providing a space for civil discourse amongst strangers on different paths of life, institutions of higher education will continue to help everyone see the beauty in shades of violet.
…
Good afternoon Tomy and Professor,
Tomy, I am a senior here at SIU with just a few classes from my degree in Adult Education. My plan is to then continue to a Law Degree, as Professor Freivogel has also done. I want to do Constitutional Law and hold public figures accountable for their actions. Fraud and abuse of power are my highlights. I have an extensive background in Public Safety and Fire Protection along with my time in the Marine Corps where I was Security Forces and a Dragon Gunner.
So, although I don’t speak for the professor, I would not worry about your grade as long as you participate and make a conscience effort to contribute to the class. I took one of his classes last semester and was scheduled for a different class this semester till I learned of this class and then canceled and switched to this one because of him.
Let me be clear of my stance, I am a registered Republican, however I am NOT a line or party vote. I will vote for the person who I feel based off of my personal research and feelings most aligns with my beliefs and ideology. I was born and raised Roman Catholic. Not till my time in the Marine Corps did I realize I am a Christian, and I do not believe in the complete teachings of the Roman Catholic church, and I am not embarrassed to openly show how I am or what I believe. To ME, that is Freedom of Speech, that is Freedom of Religion. Like I said to Tomy on our call, you and I have our beliefs and understandings, some may agree and some may differ, we respect each other’s values. We DEBATE them respectfully. We discuss them openly. We learn each other’s points of view and the reasoning as to why your beliefs are what they are. To Me that is what EDUCATION is. The ability to listen to others’ information, values, perspectives and beliefs and make a personal determination of stance on how this item is going to affect you and your life personally.
I will say that I think Professor is very fair and willing to hear you out if you need. I will still stand in my statement that I “FEEL” which is an emotion, that he as well as the university certainly lean more to the left. And again, I feel as this is the case at most universities. The students do not know what to expect, nor the knowledge that they are supposed to absorb, so if we continuously BASH our sitting president, without providing fair examples of similar challenges, to me that is a skewed position. I would still position this to either side of the isle, party aside, You believe that Trump has done a horrible job, and he has done all of these illegal actions, ok first clearly is using the law to his advantage, an ability anyone can use as well. He has not issued himself a presidential pardon, and he has no choice but to work in the confines of the law. I do agree that some of the stones he is turning over may have never been thought to touch or turn over, but he is also definitely different from our last president.
Were the actions of any other President unethical and or illegal? ABSOLUTELY. Let’s choose a simple one, Bill Clinton. Were his relations with Monica Lewenski, BOTH unethical and illegal? Is an affair both unethical and illegal, was lying about smoking weed at that time unethical and illegal. Now, again, let me be clear, I liked President Clinton, and his presidency, but the question is ethics and his verbalization to media. He LIED. Why is he not chastised like you do President Trump? Because the blue is a loyalist party. Good bad and ugly.
I am a Marine. A 100% permanent and totally disabled United States Marine. MY oath has no expiration. He is my commander in chief, as was Bill Clinton and both President Bush’s. I may not claim the other two between them. If I was able to, I would re-enlist today under his command and continue the efforts we have instilled in him as our President and Commander in Chief. That I would not have done last year, or for some of our previous presidents I stated.
So, in conclusion, continue to be you. Continue to ask questions and challenge what you believe and allow others to educate you, not change your mind per say, but educate you as to different perspectives. I feel what your approach to this matter was both ETHICAL and respectful. I appreciate that you approached me first. I also encourage the platform and opportunity that Professor Freivogel provides us to have an open and respectful dialogue with each other.
We need to respect each other’s differences, whether we agree with them or not, and it has to be ok to agree or disagree.
Respectfully Submitted,
Phil
