Why are black americans referred to as "African American"?

Yes because since we aren't from Africa we aren't African American, we just stayed out in the sun too long. it's called AFRICAN DECENT, that's what happens when a country of people is taken from their home land and exploited. I'm Irish-Scottish, African American, and Native American so there is a lot to call me but just because I am not from Ireland, Scotland, Africa, or Mississippi (where the Choctaw tribe is from) doesn't mean I am not all these things.