As a European I never understood this American way of labeling yourself after your supposed heritage. Nothing italian about "italian americans" and nothing african about "african american". Sure, there are maybe traces of the original culture in the respective subculture and we like to mingle with people who are like us. And for that labels like these help. But this heritage is so far gone that it really doesn't matter anymore. I also understand that it describes a new culture, but by using the "old" names it puts a claim on something it just can't.

I also don't get this: “Whenever I go to Africa, I feel like a person with a legitimate place to stand on this earth. This is the name for all the feelings I’ve had all these years.”

And the "return to africa" thingy (or the new return to europe thingy). Africa is a big ass continent and there is really no cultural homogeneity. They never ever stepped foot on african, italian or german soil before. You're all american, period. This feels like self-segregating. A culture isn't something you can just consume or put on yourself.

PS: I'm very understanding of the issue that you want to cling to some roots. But I don't like that it's becoming a "I vs them" thing and that it gets consumed and is used for projection.