Guyana is contemplating a significant, and some might say controversial, transformation of a site infamous for a tragedy that shook the world nearly half a century ago. In November 1978, over 900 followers of U.S. Reverend Jim Jones took part in a mass suicide-murder in the remote Jonestown commune. Now, the country is proposing to turn this grim chapter of history into an attraction for tourists, a move that’s stirring uneasy feelings among those connected to the event.
Jordan Vilchez, who was a teenage member of the People’s Temple and narrowly escaped the tragedy, finds herself torn over the idea of a Jonestown tour. Her intimate connection to the site, where she lost two sisters and nephews, gives her a unique perspective. Vilchez acknowledges that Guyana has the right to capitalize on Jonestown, yet she stresses the need for respect for those who lost their lives. She hopes that any tour will offer a deep understanding of why so many people followed Jim Jones, seeking what they believed would be a better life.
Proposed by Guyana’s government in partnership with a private tour company, the tours would take visitors on a journey into the dense jungles of northern Guyana, accessible only by boat, helicopter, or plane. The rugged path leads explorers six miles into the hinterlands where remnants of the commune still stand. Critics argue that the idea is disrespectful and sensationalizes a tragic past, with some calling it ‘ghoulish and bizarre.’ Neville Bissember, a law professor, questions what a site, marked by mass suicide and human rights violations, truly says about Guyana’s cultural identity.
Despite dissent, there is substantial backing for the initiative from key players in tourism and government. Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond expressed her support, noting the potential for Jonestown to become another example of dark tourism, much like sites marked by historical atrocities around the world. Comparisons have been made to Rwanda’s memorials and other areas where the darkest chapters of history are remembered.
Astill Paul, a pilot who witnessed the events of Jonestown personally, also supports turning the area into a heritage site. He believes that recreating the commune’s landscape, including notable buildings like Jim Jones’ residence, could provide visitors unique insights into the events of 1978. Little remains of Jonestown today, save for a few decayed structures and a poignant reminder of what once was.
Previously, Jonestown primarily attracted only journalists and the bereaved families of victims. The challenges in reaching the site, combined with safety concerns about nearby settlements, made visits infrequent. Fielding McGehee of The Jonestown Institute highlights the logistical and financial hurdles of developing Jonestown into a tourist-friendly destination. He warns that relying on secondhand accounts for the tours may distort the truth, likening it to a ‘game of telephone.’
For Vilchez, returning to the site decades later was an emotional journey. She performed a personal ritual of honoring those lost by burying family mementos at the commune, emphasizing the depth of the tragedy. While some see potential in the tour as a morbid curiosity, others, like McGehee, remind us of the sensational allure of disaster tourism. The ethics of such a project remain hotly debated as Guyana inches closer to capitalizing on this chapter of its history.
The possibility of opening Jonestown as a tourist attraction is not just a financial decision for Guyana; it’s a complex interplay of memory, history, and ethics. As the government pushes towards making this vision a reality, the world watches closely, pondering the delicate balance between remembrance and respect. Whether Jonestown becomes a site of reflection or a controversial tourism experiment remains to be seen.
Source: Apnews
