African American question?
 

I'm curious, why is it considered correct to consider black people "African" Americans? I thought that would imply that you were actually from Africa, living in the US? My ancestors are British, but is it accurate for me to say that I am British American? I'm not trying to be racist, im simply curious. The same can be said of Hispanic people I know who have never set foot in Mexico, but call themselves Mexican American. Why is this?