Jonestown: When is ‘dark tourism’ too dark?

Fifty years ago, parishioners from Jim Jones’ Peoples Temple in San Francisco embarked on a journey to create a rural commune in the South American country of Guyana. The Jonestown experiment, as it came to be known, ended in tragedy four years later with one of the most horrific murder-suicide incidents in American history. Over 900 people, including U.S. congressman Leo Ryan, lost their lives on November 18, 1978. Now, Guyana is considering a proposal to open the now-overgrown compound to visitors, sparking a debate about the ethics and appeal of dark tourism.

Dark tourism, also known as memorial tourism or thanatourism, involves visiting sites associated with tragedy, infamous deaths, and other dark events. These locations, such as Jonestown, the Alamo, and Ground Zero, attract visitors seeking to bear witness to history and pay their respects to the victims. However, the question arises: why are we drawn to these sites of disaster and evil? What does it say about us as a society that we feel compelled to visit these vortexes of tragedy?

The concept of dark tourism raises important questions about the responsibilities of governments in granting or denying access to such sites. Who should have the authority to decide how history is presented to visitors? And what impact do these events and the subsequent visitors have on the communities living near these locations?

As a traveler, it can be challenging to navigate the moral complexities of dark tourism. Visiting sites like the Killing Fields in Cambodia or former Nazi concentration camps can be a way to honor the memory of the victims and bear witness to their suffering. However, there are instances where the line between respectful remembrance and morbid curiosity becomes blurred.

When considering a visit to a dark tourism site, it is crucial to reflect on your intention. Are you seeking to learn and understand the historical significance of the location, or are you simply indulging in a voyeuristic fascination with tragedy? It is essential to consider the feelings of the local communities and the friends and families of the victims connected to the events.

Ultimately, the decision to visit a dark tourism site rests with the individual, who must weigh the ethical implications of their visit and ensure that they approach the experience with sensitivity and respect. By engaging thoughtfully with these sites, we can honor the memory of the victims and gain a deeper understanding of the darker chapters of human history.