Women in the Paranormal: “Which side are you on?”

by Jordan Murphy:

I first got into the paranormal at a very young age. Being from West Virginia, my area has a lot of ghost stories and folklore. I had an experience seeing an apparition in an old house with ties to the Civil War around the age of 9, but my interest really peaked after losing my brother to suicide in October 2009. Some may think it’s morbid, but I wanted to know what was on “the other side”.

I joined a local paranormal investigations group, and since then have gone on to join Resident Undead. I really push myself in this field to look into the scientific side of things. I am completely fascinated by string-theory and multi-dimension theory. The trademark of the Resident Undead investigation is what we have branded a “ripple in time” which aims to stimulate the dead by re-enacting the history of these locations, stirring up the raw emotions and even changing up our own internal vibrations to elicit the best intelligent responses possible. I find that being a young female can be a downfall, especially when the majority of women my age in the field promote “sex” as a product rather than results and the paranormal itself. I’m an educated individual; I have my bachelor’s in psychology from West Virginia University, graduated at the top of my class, and am pursuing my Masters in counseling. However, even with what I contribute to the field, I find it very hard for a lot of people to take me seriously.

One of the main challenges I have faced in the paranormal community is establishing myself as a progressive female contributor based on accomplishment and effort rather than selling a sexual image. The paranormal community is male-dominated, which can be attested to the fact that the majority of mainstream paranormal shows focus on men. It seems for every good, intelligent, and hard-working female, you have groups that seem to only want fame; who want to use the paranormal for personal gain. As a woman, it makes me very sad to see that some visible females in the field are only visible due to their clothes, or lack thereof, while many females, like myself, are out in the field, writing, learning, and growing; some groups are creating an image of sex that is counterproductive to female progression and presence in the field. I prefer to spend my time networking with respected paranormal figureheads, reading about metaphysics, and expanding my ability to contribute. It’s disturbing to me that so many people misinterpreted comments made on television as “sexist” when in reality they were adding some drama and competition to the show at the producers request. Quite frankly, I find it ironic that the same people who played the victim card are the same ones pushing sex as their redeeming feature.

There is nothing wrong with displaying your beauty and confidence as a woman, but that encompasses a lot more than how “sexy” you can dress; displaying class, intelligence, and independence is much more important. I understand that sex sells and I also won’t sit here and tell someone that I don’t think I am physically attractive. With that being said, how I market myself is a completely different thing. Now, it is important to remember that there are plenty of females in the field now and in the past that have been successful, but with the recent paranormal explosion, there is an influx of girls that are obviously using the field as a stepping stool for the wrong reasons. I am proud to say that I genuinely love the paranormal and even prouder to say I can have an intelligent discussion with anybody. In fact, I was recently told in a discussion that it was a refreshing change of pace from the younger females, since I was well versed in different paranormal theories.  The problem is, too often it’s generalized that I solely want to sell myself on looks, because that is what a lot of younger females push as their best quality.

I am in no way trying to discourage anyone from trying something different in the field; as long as it’s productive. This article should be taken as a wake-up call to the females in the field.  To those who continue to push on and have helped build an outlet for intelligent females, thank you, and I will never give up on promoting myself as a resource rather than the “hottest” or “sexiest”. It is extremely frustrating to want to advance in this field, but can’t because of the generalization of young females. To those groups out there who feel the only way to gain notoriety is to portray an image of sex, remember that beauty is only skin deep, but the passion of the paranormal should be your motivation. I have seen an ever-growing population of young girls who are passionate in the paranormal and I want to set a good example of how to carry themselves with class. Names like Lorraine Warren are becoming lost in the over saturation of sexual objectification of paranormal women; and as a progressive female in the field, I am proud to say that I stand with the female population that promote paranormal passion, respect, and class.

My question is, which side are you on?

Jordan Murphy is the newest cast member of the hit e-series Resident Undead. Recently placing 46th in worldwide voting for A&E Shorty Award for best YouTube show, and becoming the most watched YouTube paranormal reality series in less than two years, Resident Undead is excited to add Murphy’s talent to the group. She has not only made waves as a paranormal investigator, but also as a progressive women in the field.

Jordan Murphy, Daniel Hooven and Adam Kimmell of Resident Undead are featured on DarkMediaCity, a free social network for those who like it Dark.  Whether it be literature or film, music or art, horror or sci-fi, paranormal romance or paranormal investigation, we’ve got something for you.  www.DarkMediaCity.com

(The opinions within articles, news and editorial pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of DarkMedia, its partners, sponsors or subsidiaries.)