Jacko Bro Plans Slavery Theme Park

Historians condemn $3.4B project
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 17, 2009 9:32 AM CST
Jacko Bro Plans Slavery Theme Park
Janet Jackson greets her brothers, from left, Marlon Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Randy Jackson of The Jacksons after they received the BMI Icon award in Beverly Hills, Sept. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Michael Jackson's big brother Marlon wants to bring tourists to Nigeria by building a $3.4 billion resort—complete with an ever-so-slightly controversial slavery theme park, a replica slave ship, oh, and a Jackson Five exhibit, the Telegraph reports. Visitors to the park, located in Badagry, the departure point for thousands of slaves, can relax after visiting the memorial or museum with a trip to the casino or a round of golf. Historians are crying exploitation.

The PC-named Badagry Historical Resort Development Project will also house memorabilia from Marlon’s Jackson Five days, which is vaguely tied to the park’s theme: “This will be an adventurous ride giving you an historical overview of African music,” according to official literature. Baloney, says one consultant: it’s more like “dancing on the graves of dead people and telling them you're honoring them.”
(More Jackson Five stories.)

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