Whitewashing? Was the John Frum quote modified? Why?

[burn2burn]

On the 2013 Art Theme page there is this quote about John Frum:

http://www.burningman.com/art_of_burnin ... theme.html

"'E look like you an' me. 'E tall man. 'E live long."
— Melanesian informant

But according to the Wiki the actual quote was:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Frum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult

"'E look like you. 'E got white face. 'E tall man. 'E live 'long South America."[1]

First, what is the actual quote?

If Wiki is right, why censor out "white" and why add "an' me"? That completely changes the meaning. Seems like either meaning would be an appropriate theme for Burning Man, but perhaps one meaning is too uncomfortable for Burners to face?

[tatonka]

PC culture

[theCryptofishist]

Why censor "South America" too?

My guess is that the white face is a red herring to the theme as Larry envisioned it. And with most of those who attend the event having white faces, it adds a whole lot more "huh" than anything else.


Now, if Simon had done it, "white" would have become "green"...

[Bless]

Looks like you may have to check out a copy of People of Paradise from your local library

[trilobyte]

Clearly it's a case of quoting a different person than the guy David Attenborough talked to

[forty_eight]

Now, if Simon had done it, "white" would have become "green"...

or silver

[Ugly Dougly]

White man's way of butchering charming native superstitions in the name of brevity.