Why does Maya so easily accept the stories of the men with little to no reproach for their illegal and unethical actions?

The men Daddy Clidell introduces Maya to are colorful characters in the neighborhood.... people who teach her how not to get taken, and who tell her that blacks can win out over whites, which gives her a feeling of gratification. Technically, the men are criminals, tricking white people out of their money and engineering clever schemes; but, since they are black and winning revenge against white people, all Maya can do is admire their brains and boldness. In a society in which black people are always limited and held back, this seems like a just revenge to most in the black community.