But others who have worked with at-risk youth question how relevant Williams is to a generation born long after he was condemned to death row. “I think he’s more of a symbol to the black middle class and to the liberal white celebrity classes ,” says Connie Rice, a civil-rights attorney in Los Angeles with the Advancement Project. “It doesn’t take away from the value of his work, but evaluating his pull on the streets is more difficult. These kids don’t pay attention to anyone who isn’t right in front of them.”
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