Part of the culture in America is to identify the national origin of someone. I assume it’s rooted in our history of being a melting pot from our beginnings. There are references from 200 years ago of black men identifying as African American, I don’t know how commonly the term was used then. In more recent history, as we know, black Africans in America were referred to as negroes and colored people and some names not necessary to say here. I think negro was probably heavily influenced by terms used by slave traders if I had to guess.
In the 70’s black people were hearing more and more messages from prominent black people In the public’s eye that white American stole their heritage, that black is beautiful, and other messages to help the black community have more confidence, more pride, and feel empowered.
In the 80’s in America there were several black leaders and scholars who were politically active and who had influence who pushed the term African American. They cited that other groups in America are referred to by their national origin. Some stated all other groups are only referred to by national origin, I beg to differ with that, but I won’t go down that tangent now. So, it’s basically in the 80’s and 90’s that the term becomes popular in modern day America, and then the government adopts it and it’s on official forms, and so it becomes officially the proper term of the day.
The government and marketers like to group segments of the population together for “useful data.” I do think using the term African American to identify a race makes no sense, but I understand the argument for it. African American should be in with national origin or ethnicity and race is a separate topic. Similar to my husband is Hispanic white. I know plenty of “African Americans” who are white.
Wouldn’t it be great to not identify race at all on any form?
My experience is most black people I know personally prefer the term black.