American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed, "pit bull" is a generalization of many types of breeds. So yes, I would consider "I have an APBT" an acceptable answer to the question "What type of pit bull". As far as the colors, they are just that - color variation.
Yes.. but a Yorkie, or a Chihuahua is an example of a breed. A "pit bull" is not... so they do not even include the breed truthfully.
Some examples of dogs considered "pit bull type" dogs:
American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Olde English Bulldogge
Dogs commonly confused with "pit bull type" dogs:
Dogue De Bordeau, Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario, Cane Corso, Patterdale Terrier, Alpana Espanol, Boerboel, Ca De Bou, Boxer
I am sure I am leaving some out, but off the top of my head I think that is a pretty good list.
To further complicate the matter, a great majority of "pit bull" dogs you would encounter are not even one breed - they are mixed breed dogs. Since people commonly confuse the dog breeds, owner X has a male APBT while owner Y has a female AST. They decide they want to breed their "pit bulls" - and the result is a litter of mixed breed dogs. These dogs may then be bred with someones half APBT half Boxer "pit bull" - resulting in a "pit bull" that is a mix of four breeds. While the general public will associate the phenotype of this dog with a "pit bull" - it would not be any true "pit bull" breed.
After years of confusion what you end up with is many mixed breed dogs, whose owners claim "since their mother and father were both pit bulls, they are both pit bulls". Eh, maybe.. but not really... if you mix multiple dog breeds, you have a mixed breed dog.
So if all these breed types are lumped together as "pit bulls" when any of them bite - obviously we are going to see a lot of "pit bull" attacks....
I was being completely satyrical for most of this thread because either the OP or the media seriously twisted this story from the get go..