Roots begin where your ancestors are from. Thats why people say they are going back to their "roots" and fly to Ireland to see what they call the mother country.
If you met me and asked where I was from I would say I was from Senegal but raised in the US. You may think its silly but since what you think has no relevance I can allow you that.
You are right..what a stranger thinks is irrelevant.
Were you born in Senegal? If you werent born or raised in Africa...or lived the past 15-20 years in Africa. ..you sir are not "from" Africa.
My ancestors trace back to Germany...and Prussia...and Pangea...and South Carolina...and British and Confederate Charleston.
Am I Pangean-Prussian-German-British-Confederate-South Carolinian-American???
No. Im from South Carolina, USA.