The phrase is put in quotes because it can be derogatory and demeaning. A related term that can be derogatory and demeaning is ‘people or person or colour.’
A person of African descent’s ancestors were African and the person does not see themselves as African given the passage of time and disconnection from the continent.
If the phrase is used to refer to someone who was born in Africa or his parents or were born in Africa, this will be demeaning and disrespectful.
The phrase is also demeaning if it is used for a person who feels connected to Africa strongly.
For people who are multi-racial, and their other race is African, ‘of African descent’ may be appropriate but not always. Some may not prefer their African descent.
Almost all Africans trace ancestry through their father, and this is the same with tracing African descent.
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