# Zeeshan, a word please? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 13, 2000, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216 "2000-08-13T21:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tubagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b77776/32.png) [@tubagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tubagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/1 "2000-08-13T21:50:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Zeeshan: > Kill one and you are a murderer > Kill millions and you are a conqueror > Kill all and you are a god > Kill a white man and you’re a murderer > Kill a nigger and it was self defence I brought this to the pit because I didn’t think it should be anywhere else if it got ugly. This isn’t meant to be a fight, but a request. I really don’t like your sig line. The use of the “N” word just revolts me and disgusts me. I understand it is just a sig., but could it be edited or removed? I don’t appreciate it, and don’t want to see it as I’m browsing thorugh the posts. thank you ---
**Author:** ![Kaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaz)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/2 "2000-08-13T21:56:55Z")
I noticed that too, and though i’m white, it definatly offends me. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/3 "2000-08-13T22:15:40Z")
It doesn’t look good, I’ll give you that. But let’s give him a chance to explain WHY he uses this sig. I can’t think of a good reason, but maybe I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![FreakFreely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@FreakFreely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreakFreely)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/4 "2000-08-13T22:32:24Z")
I think it would be a pretty good sig if he just replaced the word “nigger” with “black man”. ---
**Author:** ![tubagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b77776/32.png) [@tubagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tubagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/5 "2000-08-13T22:37:18Z")
exactly what I was thinking. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/6 "2000-08-13T22:52:22Z")
I think the point of the sig is pretty clear. He (or she) is presenting some statements with the intent of showing how ridiculous they are. The use of the word “nigger” is meant to emphasize the irrationality of the originator of this claim (which is Zeeshan clearly does not consider to be himself/herself). Did I really need to explain this to you? (Note: this is meant as an explanation, not a defense, of Zeeshan’s sig. Frankly, it strikes me as a straw man.) ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/7 "2000-08-13T23:10:14Z")
Kill bugs and your an exterminator. ---
**Author:** ![FreakFreely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@FreakFreely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreakFreely)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/8 "2000-08-13T23:10:44Z")
Ryan, no, I don’t think you _did_ need to explain that to us. I see your point. In fact, it was rather obvious. But, that word is offensive no matter how you use it. Granted, it’s just a word. But for the sake of politeness, I think it’d be better if he made it a bit less offensive. The sig would be just as funny, and it’s point would have just as much impact, if he said “black man” instead. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/9 "2000-08-13T23:12:24Z")
I can see exactly what he’s saying in his sig, and why he uses that particular word to say it. It’s a little long for a sig, IMO, but it would be less impactful phrased another way. Do I have to change my sig, too? Am I allowed to quote lyrics from “Oliver’s Army”? ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/10 "2000-08-13T23:12:39Z")
All I ask is to fix “defence” to “defense.” ---
**Author:** ![FreakFreely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@FreakFreely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreakFreely)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/11 "2000-08-13T23:19:15Z")
One could also argue that if I add a bunch of swear words to a debate, that gives it more impact. I mean, technically, saying “nigger” _does_ give it more impact. But to what end? Does it help? Or hurt? Besides, it would be like if I put a bunch of swear words in my sig. Now it follows me around wherever I post, even to places where that kind of language may not be appropriate. BTW, you rock! Any friend of Elvis Costello is a friend of mine! ---
**Author:** ![Zeeshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c4cdca/32.png) [@Zeeshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeeshan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/12 "2000-08-13T23:24:49Z")
Hey check out my new sig. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/13 "2000-08-13T23:29:53Z")
**Freak** : I guess that’s up to Zeeshan to decide. I don’t come from a viewpoint where a word itself is inherently offensive; it’s how it is wielded that makes it offensive. To the extent that Zeeshan wants to be political, I think his sig is fine. I also think people should try to understand it before hitting themselves in their chins with their knees. 😃 **Ruffian** : I think Zeeshan is from one of those weird places whre they say “defence,” “colour” and “shed-yool.” ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/14 "2000-08-13T23:31:22Z")
You’ve got to be kidding me . Forget about if it’s racist. It’s fucking huge . Give it up for fuck sake . I would not read a thread you posted to a lot just becauce of that horrible looking sig. ---
**Author:** ![Zeeshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c4cdca/32.png) [@Zeeshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeeshan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/15 "2000-08-13T23:35:42Z")
Hi, So finally i make it to the pit and now you guys think i’m a racist asshole or you just don’t understand my sig.Well my new sig is more informative though its too long for a sig but i guess i’ll add it once per post so people can see it and be offended.You see i am an anti-racist(kinda like the antichrist only anti of that so its pretty anti of the anti black whoah that was too one many anti’s). Okay i could: 1)remove “Nigger” from my sig though thats the whole point to it.My sig is anti racist and to be so it has to be sarcastic to the racists and so it needs nigger 'cos a racist won’t use black man and why can’t you just use the word man instead of black man.If the truth hurts you don’t shut your eyes to it.No i will not replace the words 'cos it would ruin the inner meaning and thought provoking of the sig. 2)I could just scrap the whole sig.I will remove the whole sig if you guys are offended by my antiracism.I need your views and if you people can’t bear this sig or the truth then please tell me and i’ll put a funny sig or how calculate the seconds that i’ve quit smoking and post that here or whatever. Bye Zeeshan P.S shutting our eyes don’t make troubles go away. ---
**Author:** ![Zeeshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c4cdca/32.png) [@Zeeshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeeshan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/16 "2000-08-13T23:45:11Z")
How’s this one? ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/17 "2000-08-13T23:53:34Z")
You could try using a link that worked ( [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=654994#post654994](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=654994#post654994) ) but really cut the thing down before a Mod. tells you to ( I’m not speaking for the staff here but I’d guess this will happen ) . ---
**Author:** ![Zeeshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c4cdca/32.png) [@Zeeshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeeshan)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/18 "2000-08-13T23:59:21Z")
Hey look guys i have recieved many pleas of changing my sig and many insults,have suffered an immense amount of abuse and have recieved trauma and emotional suffering.Is the truth that hard to digest.Irony is what it is. **Ok,since majority is authority i agree to remove the sig if you people want me to.I will however be grateful for any suggestions on a new sig and will try not to use this sig until then.If you people want me to change my sig then atleast suggest a better one.I don’t want to piss people off and i am certainly not a racist and strongly resent being viewed as one.On the other hand i expected you guys to really bash me up in the pit but instead i get support and finally learnt how to spell defence correctly(oops) i mean defense correctly** 😉 Hey by the way if i put a url tag around a url then how can i write some text like i don’t want the whole address to be displayed only the name i write? ---
**Author:** ![tubagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b77776/32.png) [@tubagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tubagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2000, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/19 "2000-08-13T23:59:34Z")
I’m not getting into a name calling game with you. I asked to have it either changed or removed because i find it offensive. I understand the point of the sig, even with a replacement of the word in question. I think your being a bit too cocky in respect to the request. People get defensive on the issue of racism. I, on the other hand, don’t let my relatives, friends, or anyone I converse with use that particular word. I would prefer that it wasn’t used. I don’t think that it is too much to ask, nor do I think you are trying to make a point anymore. I think you’re trying to tick people off now. ---
**Author:** ![tubagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b77776/32.png) [@tubagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tubagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2000, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216/20 "2000-08-14T00:01:32Z")
dammit! posted at the same time… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeeshan-a-word-please/29216.md?page=2)