TSUCMU ::: Michael Jackson's brother Marlon plans slavery theme park

Michael Jackson's brother Marlon plans slavery theme park | The Courier-Mail

MICHAEL Jackson's brother has been criticised for reportedly planning to build a slavery theme park in Nigeria.

Marlon Jackson is said to be prepared to invest in a $5.3 billion theme park where tourists can visit a replica slave ship and walk the route of shackled slaves, before playing a round of golf or relaxing by a pool, reports The Guardian

The former Jackson Five band member and the Badagry Historical Resort Development Project hope the park will attract African-American tourists keen to trace their roots back to Nigeria.

But critics have labeled the theme park inappropriate and an insult to the dead.

"It is not appropriate from a cultural or historical point of view," Nigerian historian Toyin Falola told the BBC.

"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."

However, the investment group behind the plan says it will honour the history of the transatlantic slave trade and provide employment opportunities for Nigerians.

"This will be an adventurous ride giving you an historical overview of African music. From hologram images, concert footage, a state of the art recording facility, to robotic figures displaying the rhythmic beats from 300 years ago where music began leading up to the biggest African group in the world, The Jackson Five," The Motherland Group (TMG) said.

TMG believes the resort will pull in 1.4m visitors in the first year, rising to 4.4m in five years.