Why are white people called americans and blacks called african-american?

I am an American and do not see the need to state where my ancestors come from as it does not matter.

White Americans only call themselves White Americans they don't call themselves European Americans African Americans only call themselves African Americans they don't call themselves Black Americans.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.