Baldwin's assertion suggests that is that we are responsible for the actions of others in the country. As if no one will feel bad if they done anything bad. It was the guilt of the country, as it was a country of slavery. More specifically, Baldwin was suggesting that he wasn't responsible for the slavery, but people think so, and they expect the stereotypes of African Americans.
He writes,"but I am responsible for it because I am a man...you are responsible for it, for the very same reason.” In this passage, Baldwin seems to be suggesting that we need to do everything over the people who caused it ,like in the days of slavery. It also proves the guilt of the country, and it stills goes to this day.
This assertion is supported by Baldwin's use of anaphora. For example, he used "I" as a reference for him taking responsibility for every action that other people did. By using anaphora, he is able to show how he shows that we live in a country of slavery, and we have to take a stand.
