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Jackson Five museum, theme park to be built on Nigerian slave grounds
A plan to build a massive, $3.4 billion vacation resort development on the grounds of a slave port on the coast of Nigeria -- including golf courses, concert halls, casinos and, yes, a museum dedicated to the Jackson Five -- is meeting some opposition among the local population.
"It is not appropriate from a cultural or historical point of view," Nigerian historian Toyin Falola is quoted in the Guardian newspaper as telling the BBC recently. "Moneymaking and historical memory are allies in the extension of capitalism. You cry with one eye and wipe it off with a cold beer, leaving the other eye open for gambling."
Who's behind this plan? Marlon Jackson, one of Michael Jackson's brothers. He says the family has been looking for a site to host its huge collection of memorabilia and after a visit to the Badagry slave grounds on Nigeria's coast he concluded it was the perfect place.
Now, all this isn't as tacky as it sounds.
There seem to be real efforts underway to preserve the area's history and turn it into an educational tourist attraction, and developers say the 1.4 million visitors expected in the Badagry Historical Resort's first year could be a real boon to the local economy. The resort could eventually bring 150,000 jobs to a pretty impoverished area.
Plans include a multi-million dollar slave memorial, a slave history theme park (perfect for the kids), a five-star hotel and the Jackson Five museum. Developers want to build a life-size model of a slave ship, holograms of the Jackson Five (even scarier than the real thing) and, according to the Guardian, robot versions of 18th-century African musicians, whatever that means.
While you're deciding whether this is a crazy plan or a good idea, I'll leave you with this vision for the resort as spelled out by the Guardian:
The development will cater to the country's growing tourism industry, particularly African-American tourists who wish to trace their Nigerian roots. Visitors will be able to explore the site of the former transatlantic slave trade, honour the hundreds of thousands who died in what were horrific human rights abuses, and then head off for a round of golf or a massage, before gawping at animatronic versions of the siblings who sang ABC and I Want You Back.
Click the pictures to learn about other unusual amusement parks, from R-Rated "Love Land," to a park based on the works of Charles Dickens, from a park with a ride called "Dog Fart Switchback," to a park that's twice the size of Disneyland.
Filed under: News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Love Always Hopes Feb 18th 2009 7:01AM
SOUNDS LIKE A BEEHIVE AND THE BEARS FIGHTIN OVER THE HONEY.
Are you kidding me? The Jackson fanily is looking for somewhere to hide their money.
And nevermind M.J. and his wierd self.
harley oldman Feb 18th 2009 7:10AM
How can this be ?
I thought the UNITED STATES was the
only place slavery existed !
Dan E De' Winter Feb 18th 2009 7:56AM
Dear Mr. Oldman:
I don't know whether your post is meant as pun or is in fact serious. Perhaps you meant it to open a dialogue? In any event, NO, this is most certainly not the only nation where shame of slave trade took place. You might consider thinking where people, humans, were taken from to be brought and bought in far off lands. The history of slavery is well documented with more being learned each day. And this, Mr. Oldman, refers only to slavery of African's from various west Africa nations. Slavery went on long before the USA became a natioin, ref. Pharonic Egypt. Additionally slaves are still being sold and purchased even today, in Asia as well as Africa.
To LEARN more on the subject, you may want to Google the word slavery, do some research to discover the many books written on the subject.
I hope you take this in the spirit it is intended-as a small bit of help from a retired senior citizen white male who began learning about this subject at a very early age.
OH! By the way, just between myself and anyone who might read the above, here is another little secret which the media never reports, just for your information, IGNORANCE is a type of slavery never discussed. Learn-knowledge is power--->
Krystyna Feb 18th 2009 8:21AM
The gentleman who responded to you is correct. Slavery has been around for centuries. In fact, the Africans themselves used to sell us their own people for us to use here in America. I'm no way suggesting that our hands (as Americans) are clean in all of this because we of course did the purchasing. But they actually sold their own people to us. We didn't come to Africa with raiders and then invade the land, conquering them and throwing them on boats. So as you can see, slavery - as wrong and disgusting as it was/is - was a profitable venture for both sides.
Ignorance is never bliss. Please learn as much as you can, especially about your own nation's history. (Please take this as a kind suggestion from a History major).
John Feb 18th 2009 11:50AM
The land is more than likely an encampment where the slaves were held before they were transported
Brennie Feb 18th 2009 1:42PM
harley oldman...what rock did you crawl out from under? I challenge you to go to ANY country in the world big or small that doesnt have some form slavery in its past or present history. The United States is made up of people who came from those countries and brought their ideas of slavery with them and unfortunately continued to practice slavery here in the United States.
tovha Feb 18th 2009 10:20PM
Slavery is as old as history and still exists in the form of sex slavery and the buying and selling of women. AND for most of the history of slavery the color of one's skin had nothing to do with it.
Bo Feb 19th 2009 12:51AM
since Mr. Oldmans comment drew so much attention I would like to point out that the people who seem to need educated most are people of color. This is where his comment springs from. The debate about reparations rears its ugly head from time to time by people of color giving the impression that America is the only nation ever to enslave a people and it is all our fault. If every people were compensated for their ancestors slavery everyone would have a payday coming. The only unique article I can determine about people of color is they can hold a grudge longer than any other race.
Robert Feb 19th 2009 2:40AM
slavery was throughout the world. the stronger black tribes use to catch the blacks and bring them to the whites for slavery. many black don't want to know this but in most case's it was there own people that sent them into slavery
Karen Feb 18th 2009 7:38AM
I don't really agree with the Jackson family creating a Jackson Five MUSEUM on the grounds of an area where slaves were held. If they really want to honor the people who suffered indignities in their own homeland and bring some stimulation to the economy, then they should be educating those who are ignorant of our history and what we suffered through as a people instead of creating a shrine to honor themselves and try to pass it off as an educational, historic museum. What has golf courses and casinos got to do with anything? Are these simply methods to get people to visit so they can be educated? Can they not create jobs and stimulate the economy without these things? And seriously, are the jobs this place supposedly will create actually going to go to these people who the Jackson family will probably consider too dark or ignorant or poor to work in and represent this theme park? The Jackson's have spent years lightening their skin, processing their hair and getting nose jobs so they can look less like the people they supposedly wanna help. Michael Jackson himself probably didn't associate with anyone Black until he was on trial for molestation and then he wanted backing from the Nation of Islam. Oh, I forgot his nanny is Black; please forgive me. And we're expected to believe that these people really care about poor Africans? PLEASE!!!!
CB Feb 18th 2009 11:22AM
So well said, I didn't even remember that Michael Jackson was black, one of his children is as white as I am, I have blonde hair and blue eyes and we are supposed to believe that the child is really his
dude Feb 18th 2009 7:51AM
You never know.. They just might need that slave port if the slave trade ever gets started up again.
Ed Feb 18th 2009 7:40AM
Who cares!!! Move on and stop whining
dude Feb 18th 2009 7:51AM
Are they going to have the Neverland sleep over and get buzzed on wine and be touched by a middle aged man ride?
mo9ernie Feb 18th 2009 11:43AM
Most American descendants of African slaves don't know what country they originally came from. Even taking into account the European and Native American features one can see in the Jackson parents, the Jackson Five don't look Nigerian.
Perhaps a section where people can find their origins?
As long as it is not tacky, it would be good for Nigeria.
Simzee Feb 18th 2009 7:56AM
Yea baby.....let THEM sell themselves out. IMAO
Coco Feb 18th 2009 8:01AM
no, slavery wasnt only in the United states... but we got a dumb azz Williamsburg here.. The Slavery park good idea.. go learn your history
Michael C. Lucas Feb 18th 2009 11:42AM
There wouldn't be any African Americans if there hadn't been slavery. I like the crayola color in our world, If wax had a thought would it prefer to be wax void of color or would it choose to suffer for diversity. Creation is only impartially suttle, violent actions have brought forth many splendid magnificent creations. Wax has to be heated to melt with pigments to enrich our views. Its the way it is, if you want peace you have look for it in yourself then share it.
wgator Feb 18th 2009 8:14AM
Karen YOU never suffered under slavery, unless you are 150 yrs old or more, so what does it matter. My ancestors died and fought for abolition and i don't hold any grudges or feel I have been victimized, GET OVER IT
David Feb 18th 2009 8:20AM
Just remember, it was their own people that were selling slaves. Just like today in the United States with the Mexican workers. Its the Mexican people that are hiring the illeagals for low wages. Afterall, they are the only ones that can communicate with them.