The term "African American" seems racist to me. [serious discussion]?

I'm white, so let's get that out of the way, but in my mind it would feel degrading if I were separated from the rest of the Americans, simply because I'm black. Or any other race. They don't separate Italian Americans, or Irish Americans.. You aren't from Africa if you are born in the United States. My Spanish teacher is white, but she was born and raised in Zimbabwe. She is an African American. What do you think?