Political correctness

[ffutures]

I need to describe a character's race - which of the following would currently be least offensive and/or most politically correct for an American audience:

Negro
Black
African-American

I've currently got it as African-American but it feels a little awkward, especially since the person I'm describing is actually a god. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

Comments

[pauldrye.livejournal.com]

Does the character fulfill the "American" half of the phrase, though? I'm reminded of the time I was watching a Buffalo news station and they referred to Nelson Mandela as "the first African-American president of South Africa".

[armb.livejournal.com]

I've seen a transcript that went something like:
American interviewer: "As an African-American - actually I suppose I can't call you that - how do you describe yourself?"
Lenny Henry: "English".