When Dominick DiCarlo ’22 and Derek Peralta ’22 first met as freshmen at Siena, they each already knew a bit about the other: they were both nice guys, they both loved politics, and they were each at far opposite ends of the ideological spectrum.
A love of politics, a willingness to be open-minded, and a commitment to respectful conversation has led the two to become fast friends - and roommates.
DiCarlo (a conservative from Stony Brook) and Peralta (a progressive from Manhattan) were supposed to be studying and rooming at American University in Washington, D.C. this semester, but COVID-19 canceled the program. So, they signed up to room together in a double in Snyder Hall this fall, which was going great until all of DiCarlo's classes went online and his parents called him home to Long Island at the end of September.
The two political science majors are still in regular touch, talking policy and eagerly looking forward to the outcome of this year's contentious presidential election. They're hoping to get back to rooming together soon.
As freshmen living in different residence halls, the two were introduced by a mutual acquaintance who jokingly warned the conservative DiCarlo, “Watch out, you might not agree with Derek about politics.”
Peralta chuckled: “Yeah, I’m a bit of a socialist.”
The two hit it off as friends before they got into any heavy policy discussions. They had each heard the other was “decent,” and knew that they were at distant ends of the political spectrum, and that was about it. But they soon found common ground and the friendship grew.
“We fundamentally agree on what the problems are; we just disagree on the solutions,” said DiCarlo. “We do agree that people who are elected don’t truly represent those they were elected to serve. They seem more concerned each other’s viewpoints than of those of their constituents. The system itself seems broken.”
Peralta looked back to 2016, and said he felt Americans were choosing between the lesser of two evils when voting for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. While he thought before the COVID-19 pandemic that Trump would win another term, both now predict that Joe Biden will win this year’s presidential contest, and that it won’t be close.
DiCarlo believes many Republicans are “emotionally exhausted” with Trump and are looking for a change, even if means the White House passes to the other party.
“The daily tweets, the infighting,” he said. “I believe most people would rather have a president they have fundamental differences with politically, versus one they so fundamentally differ from morally.”
Peralta, who admits he used to be “too quick to judge people” said he and DiCarlo started talking about politics “mostly through jokes.” And perhaps that sense of humor leavened with mutual respect was what laid the groundwork for their friendship.
So how do two young political enthusiasts whose views diverge so widely keep things polite when talking about how our government should be run?
DiCarlo said the first mistake is to assume that the person you’re talking with has ulterior motives other than what is best for his family or country.
“The vast majority of people want a government that will help them in the daily lives. They don’t want to want their jobs to go overseas, they want to support their families. Mostly they want to be heard.”
Peralta believes today’s political process is “dehumanizing,” and that the mainstream media isn’t helping matters.
“People get to the point that they automatically assume the person who holds differing views on government is an enemy” he said. “They’re not. They have a life, and a family, and in all likelihood want many of the same things as the other person.”
Both students are walking the walk, not just talking the talk, when it comes to politics: they are involved in Siena student government, political clubs, and voter registration efforts.
What comes after graduation? DiCarlo would like to have an internship with the New York State Senate during his senior year, and both are considering applying to law school after earning their Siena degrees. Peralta said elected office – possibly even a seat in Congress – might be in the cards someday.
“I have plans!” he exclaimed.
