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As a young Motswana woman, I am proud to be part of a generation of opportunity, born with the need to surpass all our parents' dreams and expectations. Botswana is a country that takes pride in family and respect for all mankind. We are a humble people by nature.

However, through film, television programming, music, clothing and language, the African-American culture has infiltrated our society and is slowly eroding the values that have sustained us as a people for many years. Recently, Bissau Gaobakwe was sentenced to 12 months in prison for attempted murder. In a gangster style setting, straight out of the blaxploitation genre films, screaming, "Let the Nigger die", Bissau shot Itseng Kwelagobe three times.

Sadly his action paid homage to a society of violence that is depicted in films, current music videos that bombard our television screens and serve only to entertain and demonstrate disrespect for life in all spectrums. At the sentencing, Justice Unity Dow firmly cautioned Bissau, "I leave you with a word of advice, you must understand that life is not a film set and you are not on some theatre stage".

Indeed, the stage was set even before Bissau displayed blatant disregard for his fellow countryman. The Timberland boots dusty from the hot desert soil, the sagging T-shirts, the colourful language peppered with the idiosyncrasies of Ebonics tell the story of a misplaced generation. The escalating instances of crime such as car thefts, and robberies emphasise the unfortunate legacy that has become our lives.

It is all very well for me to write and complain about the impact that African-American sordid lifestyle has had in our lives, without providing a concrete answer. One of the solutions, I believe lies, in the films, the videos, the clothing, and the language that we readily embrace. These proclaim a sense of pride and celebration in a culture, no matter how perverse.

Recently I purchased Snass' rap CD. The term Motswana rapper is an oxymoron, in itself. Luckily for him, I am a firm believer in supporting the local economy and I will spend my last Pula on a chicken as long as it is chased and slaughtered by a Motswana. I listened to the CD horrified at his use of Ebonics, and as his nasal drawl tormented my speakers, I suddenly missed the rich flavour of yesterday's groups such as Tribal Monks.

Even in my wildest dreams I couldn't envision music pioneers such as Solo B and Daddy Ski lamenting about "trifling Niggers". But after I heard the CD for a second time I slowly realised the genius behind his work. Snass, despite his thug induced conduct and language, is not a simple man, but is drawing from the fascination that we as Batswana have for the African-American way of life, in order to relay the message of pride that we should have in our history, background and in ourselves.

I believe that everyone has a role to play in uplifting our people. The survival of our country lies in our generation.

As a media person, I have an obligation to use the knowledge that I have acquired and accurately capture the struggles, the economic battles, the passion, the awesome beauty, the resilience of the people, the progresses and developments that are indicative of Batswana. I also have a responsibility to my five-year-old sister to continue the strong tradition that has shaped our lives and not have her witness the gradual moral deterioration that has been prevalent in our country over the last few years.

So, whether you are selling oranges at the Western Bypass, or chilling with friends at the Riverwalk mall, ask yourself what you have done for your country today, more specifically what you have done to celebrate who and what you are.