A politically correct term for Americans of African descent. Usually refers only to people of sub-Saharan (black) ancestry, not to people of North African ancestry, who are usually considered Arabs. White Americans who were born in Africa, or descended from Europeans in Africa, as in the case of South Africa or Zimbabwe, are not referred to as "African Americans." Most black Americans in casual conversation use the term "black," instead of "African American." Yet liberal whites, and those afraid of offending blacks, will use the term "African American," often out of white guilt for discrimination. White people who feel comfortable with their whiteness, and who don't feel responsible for slavery because they weren't alive before the Civil War, usually hate the phrase "African American." On the other hand, many black Americans, who don't believe that black people can be racist, often call whites a variety of mean names. I suggest new terms for all American groups, such as: Celtic-American, Slavic-American, Anglo-Saxon-American, Nordic-American, Latin-American (as in French, Italian, etc.), Hispano-American (for Spanish-speaking countries), indigenous aboriginal American, Hebrew Semitic-American, Arab Semitic-American, mixed European Caucasian American, Asiatic-American, Indo-Hindustani American, etc.

What white people say when they afraid to say black especially when a black person is in the room.
But you KNOW when that black person leaves the room, they say that shit w/ some other words too.

A term wrongly used to give identity to, any black person in America.
African American was actually meant to give an ETHNIC identity to blacks who are descendants of (Black) African slaves who were brought to the United States. This term excludes Black Jamaicans, Nigerians, Kenyans, Black Dominicans,etc.....
SOME Whites, and sometimes other non-blacks are afraid to call us black, so in any professional setting they will say African American. Other whites claim it's unfair, because they won't get called European American, but really it's the same thing as calling whites from Italy Italian, and Asians from China Chinese. Hell nobody complains about East Asians being called Asian, even though not all Asians are of the same race.
Most African Americans can not trace our African roots back to any particular country/tribe so Africa is used, as the substitute.

Oh and that guy who said it more offensive to be called AA than N*gger is a complete dumbass

A black person of african descent who is now an american native.

Generally refers to Americans who have emigrated or are the descendants of those emigrated from the African continent. Sometimes this term is used erroneously to refer to all people of brown skin that are not Latino or Native American.

Of or relating to Africa. A ethnic group of people who originated from africa. People preceived as slaves or lowerclassman.

Is a person of African descent ,meaning ancestors were of African heritage, that is born in America. America is where the individual was born therefore that makes them "American" as well as a African because of their roots. It is the political correct term of how to identify a person of African descent that is born in America.

A politically correct term used by politicians, among others.

In my opinion, calling a black person "African American" is far more offensive than the word "Nigger". When you call a black person an African American, you automatically assume two things;

1. That just because they're black, they are of African descent. If they were born in America, I really wouldn't consider them as being of African descent.

2. The second thing you assume, is that everyone that lives in Africa is black, which is also incorrect.

By this logic, white people should be called "European Americans".

Political correctness blows ass. Period.