By saying "nigger" he'd let me know he thought he was inherently better than me. That word was a way of claiming some false power. That is the language of hate, and now, having to pretend to be a white supremacist, I knew to use the language in reverse.
-- Ron Stallworth (chapter 1 paragraph 7)

Importance: This quote exemplifies the level of racism Stallworth experienced, his ability to understand the mindset of those he's investigating, and the power relations at play throughout the investigation. By understanding the power dynamics affiliated with racism and white supremacy, Stallworth is able in infiltrate the KKK effectively.

To them I was not a "black" man, but rather a police officer who happened to be black. In their eyes I was a "traitor" to the cause for which a black revolutionary brother like Stokely had dedicated his life and was here to speak about. Where black brothers like Stokely were intent bringing...
-- Ron Stallworth (chapter 2 paragraph 2)