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Universal Moral Obligation In Baldwin's Work

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Universal moral obligations are not consistent with being patriotic for one 's country. We can be both patriotic and critical in the ways outlined by Nussbaum. Within Bladwins reading there is a sharp contrast when discussing America and patriotism."Wherever you have turned, James, in your short time on this earth, you have been told where you could go and what you could do (and how you could do it) and where you could do it and whom you could marry. I know that your countrymen do not agree with me about this, and I hear them saying “You exaggerate.” They do not know Harlem, and I do. So do you." (Baldwin) In Baldwin 's work, he describes the function of society in America designed in a way to where he observes the oppression in America and its impact on his brother. …show more content…

Balwin has no sense of patriotism when talking about his "countrymen", he attacks the country calling it a "crime" because they are “destroying hundreds of thousands of lives” they are reluctant to acknowledge

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