Who is an African American? I'm curious as to others' perception of an African American. Now I like to be politically correct (for the most part), but this topic came up with my coworkers and now I'm not sure if I am correct or not. I say its anyone who is an American, but has roots in Africa...on this note my coworkers agreed. However, when I told them I have a niece who is African American (and is white as snow), they disagreed and said African Americans are black. They said this title applies only to blacks. I contend that people in the US made that up. My evidence is all of the white African's, along with the blacks I met while in Capetown S. Africa. If they (white or black) came here to the US and became citizens.....would they not be...African Americans???? That's the case with my niece. A little feedback please????