How does Maniac's determination to untie Cobble's Knot become a source of unification?

Maniac's untying of the knot marks a major milestone in the book. Before this time, the reader has been exposed to friendly relationships between Maniac and East Enders such as James “Hands” Down and the Beale family. However, friendly, amicable relationships between both neighborhoods have ceased to exist. When Maniac uses his talents to untie the knot, he peacefully brings both neighborhoods together and unites them, if just for a brief moment. Blacks, whites, young and old gather peacefully around the knot and prove unity isn’t an impossible feat.