The question of access to the media was at the heart of last night's debate-both in the case of Horowitz and minority groups.

"We're in a society where control of the media is steadily being consolidated by a small number of corporations," Noguera argued. He added that while the vandalism at Brown and Berkeley was unacceptable, "protest is a legitimate way to get an issue across in an environment where those issues are being brushed aside."

MacInnis agreed that protest is powerful.

Minority representation within the media was an issue as well, as conversation focused on The Crimson.

"I think your decision [on the advertisement] in this case was entirely appropriate," said Sam Sternin `01 of the VSA. "But in my four years here, there has not been a single year where something offensive hasn't appeared in The Crimson."

Sternin added that Crimson coverage should be "scrutinized," and that minority access to the press was a serious issue. "It's not enough to say, 'oh, they have Diversity & Distinction.'"

Sandel tried to put things in perspective, however, saying that things were worse outside the shelter of the universities, and more difficult to change.

"With all due respect, The Crimson is not a great power," he said. "If they do things you don't like, you can protest, you can boycott. You can take it over."