Why do most people get shocked when they find out there are white people who are African?

I'm not sure. I'm a White African. I was born in Africa and so were my parents.

Here's an interesting thought though. A while ago I was told by a Black African that I don't have the right to call myself African. He said I should go back to Europe. I told him I've lived here my whole life and I'm going to die here.

I think most people's idea of African involves dark skin.