Why do black families never seem to see ghosts or spirits?

Question

I'm not trying to be racist so pleeease don't report me :) I just notice this when I watch the hundreds of ghosts documentaries on television where I don't see many black families. They're all white. Does this happen because maybe African Americans do not believe in ghosts, their genetics may not include the gene for being clairvoyant, and/or etc? What is it? lol. This is one of the silly questions that I have been pondering about for a long time.

Answer 1

My paranormal group has investigated homes of black people who were experiencing phenomena.  Why they don't make it on TV shows, I can't explain.   I seriously doubt genetics has anything to do with it.    I have black friends who are amused by what I do, and some who are firm believers.

Answer 2

Actually, the KKK uniforms are meant to look like ghosts, capitalizing on an old stereotype that black people are so superstitious and ignorant that they will believe the wearer is really a ghost.

I don't recall seeing any black people on the shows either.  It could be that in the black population the superstitions focus on areas other than ghosts.

EDIT: It's entertaining to see someone contend that psychic ability is tied to a country's population genetically rather than culturally.

Answer 3

We DO see them, but when we see an apparition, all we do is shrug and say, "Whateva..." and go on about our business.

PS.  I LOVE that show, A HAUNTING.

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Answer 4

Aren't a lot of the people you call 'black' in  America 3/4 white anyway?

I can't see genetics being a factor.

Maybe the producers of the program think white people are more credible (perhaps there is a perception that they are better educated or something) and choose to include only that type of person on their show?

Or maybe black families are just more sensible and logical and don't see a heap of stuff that isn't there.

Answer 5

There was a similar question about this sometime ago.

If you do a search you might find the actual answer.

But, I believe it was because they are not reported by African Americans as much as Caucasians do.

Or it was something to that effect.

Answer 6

Belief in superstition and other nonsense is universal.It has no racial bias.Now,the producers of these shows.We know some are unethical and dishonest.I'm sure they go for the widest audience.Money is their only concern.

Answer 7

Maybe black people see ghosts just as much as white people but because of their predisposition keep it to themselves.

Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors.

Answer 8

I think that it might be that you see more white families because they don't mind the exposure as much that TV would bring.  Black people have a long history in regard to the paranormal, but it is not something that is readily discussed with other family members, much less "put it out there" for the world to see.

Answer 9

I don't know about being black or not, all I know is that I don't see them.. to me race never mattered in that respect...

Answer 10

Maybe because black people do not entertain ghosts and spirits. They spend their time in church and the only spirit they let in their homes is the spirit of Jesus Christ. Now I am not black, but think about it. They are smart. I wish the whites were as smart as they think they are. God is good and I think that is all they have time for. Why open the door to the unknown. If the bible don't say it, then don't do it.

Answer 11

2 makes 1 beat me to part of my answer. I remember this question being asked sometime within the past year too. Seems like we didn't get that many good answers. In my opinion...maybe they believe in the paranormal and spirits more than a lot of white people...therefore they're more afraid of it and  try to stay away from it. I do know that they keep their dead family members around a lot longer before they bury them than we do...and have "wakes". Go figure!

Edit...http://www.ghostvillage.com/resources/20...

Answer 12

Also not being racist in my response, I'll give you my opinion. (Keep in mind that I know no more than you, or anyone here, for that matter.) I think that history plays a large role in this; accounts of people seeing ghosts and being caught up in paranormal activity have gone back to the ancient-most times. While many of these groups were Mayan, Egyptian, or other groups of non-whites, none (that I can think of) have been black. Certain groups of people are more susceptible to clairvoyance and psychic intuition (Russians and Native Americans, for example), but that's not to say that other groups don't display similar qualities. It's just something dealing with history, and perhaps genetic makeup to some degree as well. How many blacks do you know who are interested in the paranormal, let alone those who have experienced something? That's not to say they don't exist; for it does depend upon the individual, but if we're talking the majority here, it does seem that they're left out in such experiences for the most part.

Answer 13

Sorry but my dads side of the family always sees my grandad spirit. I personally dont believe in it but your *theory* is off.

Answer 14

Most Black Americans are a little more spiritual than most whites.

These things are only discussed within a tight circle.

And, they have the same thoughts and feelings about ghost as whites. Just that they see more of certain signs or reasons a spirit would be visiting. It means more to blacks, most whites are interested and want to understand who, what, when , and the wheres of it all.

Answer 15

Maybe they either don't believe in it, or they're more scared of it so they try to avoid it? I've often wondered things like this myself. I live in the Bahamas, where the majority of population is black, and here we seem to find that they're more scared of dead bodies, etc. It's just the way it is. Some of my friends have even told me that the reason white people aren't scared of stuff like that is because we're just plain crazy. LOL. And yes, this came from a black friend of mine...

It's not being racist - at least I don't think it is. Different races have their different beliefs. I bet if an American person (no matter what color) went to somewhere like Zimbabwe or wherever, whatever the locals think is normal we might be scared or freaked out by!

Answer 16

we fear the afterlife (whites that is) blacks just usually fear death specially in third world countries and im trying my best not to be racist, but theres alot of powerful shamans coming from african background, that dwelve into spirits, while us whites tend to deal out death quicker than we think sadly its true its just our background that sprouts fears, which makes us see them more maybe idk

Answer 17

This is not true, in fact, I will have to debunk this theory.

I was watching a show where an African American gentleman was in a house and did see a Caucasian women standing next to a window.  In-fact, they said the legend had that she would only appear to African American men/boys.  This home use to be part of the "underground railroad".

Also, I have a friend who is African American and has also seen a ghost along with her brother.

Answer 18

Sorry about not trying to be a racist thing, you failed the test.  Have you ever noticed that they never have people of color on TV and the movies unless they are shown as druggies, criminals, or stupid lackies?  It is apparent that you have never spent anytime with any people that are not white.  Oh ya,  you can get a blood transfusion from a black person and you won't turn black!

I'm sorry but you are just wrong.

Answer 19

wtf

Answer 20

They do see them, and if anything they have a stronger sense than we do because of their heritage/religions etc.

They may just chose to keep quiet about it because of their religions and beliefs.

Answer 21

Jon S is wrong too. Black people are represented on TV as what? How about Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Don Cheadle, Bill Cosby . . . Dude, get your facts straight before you go on a racial offensive maneuver with ill-stated opinions.

Answer 22

That's not true , there was a maury episode about a black women and her kids who kept seeing her diseased son that was ran over by a truck. youtube it

Answer 23

Ah, there is a very simple reason for this: Marketing demographics.

White suburbanites and white small towners are the biggest demographic for watching programs about the paranormal, and they respond best when shown images of people from a similar demographic to themselves.

Put in simple terms, there are white people on these programs because there are white people in the audience.