The harbingers of the Enemy will hide among the city's parasites. Beware of them.
-- San Paulo (Prologue)

Importance: When Sao Paul warns the primary about the harbingers of the enemy he speaking literally of the white tendrils and metaphorically of racist ideologies. By calling the white people who are body jacked, and not the tendrils, parasites, Sao Paulo highlights that the problem is not only racism as a concept but the individuals who entertain it. The Enemy, racism, would not have an opportunity to attack New York if it was not given sympathy by white people.

The city needs newcomers! He belongs here as much as anyone born and bred to its streets, because anyone who wants to be in New York can be!
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: New York City exists because of the diverse group of people who populate its neighborhoods. The city's culture was formed and continues to develop because of amalgamation of newcomers. It...