Why are American Blacks called African Americans?

[ChabadKahanist]

Most of them have little to no connection to Africa & their families have been in North America for at least 200 years,furthermore most of them are mixed breed because the white european slave masters had their way with the  black African female slaves producing half breeds. At this time in history not one knows their ancestry or where in Africa their ancestors came from so why call themselves African American? When I was younger they were called colored & then negroes & then black & then Afro American & then black again & now  African American,can't these people make up their minds who they are?

[Hrvatski Noahid]

Many blacks reject the terminology. The woman is not modest, but she makes good points: https://youtu.be/x15C5Vyeg-M 

[Ulli]

I can answer you this. Before over 20 years I read an article in the FAZ about this issue.

The thesis of the author was, that the name of the minority is changed, if it has gotten a negative connotation in society. The same happens in Germany with other groups. But the problems stay even if another euphemistic word is used. So the new word is tainted soon also. Circle. 

[Joe Gutfeld]

They were just trying to be PC.  They go by where they come from which is Africa.  That's why.

[briann]

Sometimes it helps if we split up the word into its components:

Afro = Ebonic Hair
Can = Cuz they CAN

[Kahane-Was-Right BT]

I can answer you this. Before over 20 years I read an article in the FAZ about this issue.

The thesis of the author was, that the name of the minority is changed, if it has gotten a negative connotation in society. The same happens in Germany with other groups. But the problems stay even if another euphemistic word is used. So the new word is tainted soon also. Circle.