Infuriated--When People Read Things The Really Wrong Way

@pyewacket (43903)
United States
August 9, 2007 6:15pm CST
I had replied to a discussion by someone about interracial marriages--I said that I didn't see anything wrong with such unions as I come from three racial backgrounds myself..."anglo", Hispanic, and Native American--the starter of the topic mentioned the fact that a member of her family sometime back married into a Native American family and that the family was none too keen on the idea--I made a further comment later on that up until recently people of the Native American race were still consider as savage and heathen, which was true--I'm talking about say in my own great-grandparents time. Well someone posted on the same spot as mine that she considered me a heathen and savage for saying such a thing as she is Native American and that I should be ashamed of myself for saying such a thing. Like DUH? Did this person READ what I said? I said that I was of Native American blood myself and I've been so aware of the attitudes people had toward our people in the past. This really infuriated me no end...I hope the same person reads this and realizes the mistake SHE made. Why can't people READ what's being said in the first place????
17 people like this
34 responses
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
9 Aug 07
Because they don't really read it....the get so far and jump to conclusions! Better luck next time!
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 Aug 07
But to call me a racist too against Native Americans when I'm one myself was really bizarre.
2 people like this
• Canada
10 Aug 07
When I read your post a couple of quotations from Dr. Robert Anthony came to mind. The first one is: "Life is a mirror: it reflects back whatever image we present it." Sounds like the person in question chose to hear her image and made you the mirror for how she sees things. The other one is this: " Most people don't THINK...they merely rearrange their prejudices." There is one more..."As long as we feel victimized, we give up our power to change." So anyway these are things I have observed about others and their reactions after years of working as a group leader and life coach. Maybe something in this helps to explain why people cannot read, hear or even listen to the views of others...the more investment they have in their beliefs...the harder it is for them to change them. Anyway so long for now...hope it clears itself up.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Aug 07
So if I'm to understand this...she misinterpreted my meaning..shaming me and calling me the savage and heathen, and racist, when she in fact might be the racist..no? Even though we're of both Native American bloods. One sad fact....I have known many people of ALL races who have heavy duty chips on their shoulders...even with fellow Native Americans...and some won't even consider a person a TRUE Native American unless they are full-bloods. How ridiculous..in general there are so many people all over the world of mixed blood backgrounds
2 people like this
@hoghoney (3747)
• United States
10 Aug 07
I know how you feel Pye, I myself have been in that spot also where someone has read something that I worte and took it the wrong way, or I have worded what I said the wrong way and had to go back and word it different so that some will understand what I ment. I always try to make sure that I read what someone writes maybe twice before I reply to them. Hugs!
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Aug 07
Mmm..like your flag issue right? That got negative responses too and people misinterrpreted that one
2 people like this
• United States
10 Aug 07
I read the other post, she was so wrong. IQ and scholastic achievements mean exactly squat if you can't read and understand a simple sentence. Blow it off hon, she was flat wrong and misread or misunderstood your comment. It's gonna happen now and then, it's just too bad you got hit with it. ((((HUGS))))
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Aug 07
Thanks ever and ((hugs to you too))--that's what amazed me..she's rattling on about her academic achievements..but she forgot to learn one thing... how to read well...LOL
2 people like this
• Canada
10 Aug 07
Yes that happened to me once when I was trying to help someone out on here! In my comment I was trying to help promote more conversation for the topic. The next thing I know I was being totally attacked my the person who started the conversation and the next commentor. I was totally shocked and had to go back to read what I said. I read my comment and then laughed because I thought the hole thing was so silly and how they both missed the boat on what I was saying. So I explained it and then silly me I thought I would get an apology. But no that didn't happen unless I missed it. I am sure however they had egg on their faces! Yes I do try to read and understand what is being said in a topic.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Aug 07
I guess I must be dreaming too much that I'll get an apology from the person then..I did add to my comment and hope she'll see it...or maybe she did see it, and like you said,now has egg on her face. and won't reply...LOL
2 people like this
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
9 Aug 07
Sometimes people are just a little too quick to react. I've been on both sides of that coin. Hopefully the person will reread what you typed and understand their mistake. Good luck.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 Aug 07
I hope they re-read my reply too...and thanks ever :)
3 people like this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
10 Aug 07
I know what you mean! I really wish people wouldnt be so lazy and read the whole thing. Or they read it and it and they dont comprehend what they are reading. Dont worry about it my friend. Dont make yourself upset over it.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Aug 07
Thanks Terryz---I'm over my upset by now...LOL
1 person likes this
@kareng (54331)
• United States
10 Aug 07
Seems there is a lot of that kind of thing going on here. I wouldn't let it bother me too much. You know what you said and her post is just an "off the wall" reply.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Aug 07
Yup--her's was a real humdinger of an off the wall reply
1 person likes this
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
10 Aug 07
Gee thats so wrong, i think that they cannot even be bothered reading, they just see a piece of the information and use it to attack you..
3 people like this
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
10 Aug 07
Some people only see what they want to see... Obviously didnt read the entire discussion..
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Aug 07
It is really wrong...she totally misinterpreted what I was saying
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85292)
• United States
9 Aug 07
I completely agree. I have had that happen before. And when I replied nicely, clearing up their mistake, they just made a joke about how 'my kind' always have to be right anyway. And what does it hurt to try to clarify before going off of the deep end? I would want to check twice before I wrote something I can't take back. Recently, I responded to a 'friend's' discussion, and she lit into me, claiming I had not read the full discussion. Well, if she had reread her post, she would see she included no details of the thing she was speaking of. And the whole topic was a fluff topic, but she tore into me for what she thought, was my laziness in not reading the discussion. Needless to say, she's not on my friend list anymore. If people would just pay attention to every little thing they write and read, the numerous misunderstandings would not happen. I realize for some there is a language barrier, but that is not an excuse that can be made in most of these cases.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 Aug 07
No...the excuse of a language barrier definitely wasn't the case here...this person just plain didn't read what I said....It is infuriating though isn't it? Yeesh.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (85292)
• United States
9 Aug 07
I think people like that are just looking for a fight, and will fly off the handle without an iota of legitimate cause.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 Aug 07
I've noticed, sad to say, that there are people here ready for any kind of fight--pathetic
2 people like this
• United States
10 Aug 07
I am sorry you where called names. I do not think people should call each other names. I do not think there is anything wrong with interacial marriages. People are people no matter what color they are. I am so sorry this happened to you again my friend.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Aug 07
Thank you....oh well, her response just shows her ignorance, right?
1 person likes this
• India
10 Aug 07
Hi!Well, many a time one does not have the patience to sit & read through the whole paragraph carefully & therefore assumesomething & misunderstand the whole thing.So do not take to heart & forget the episode.Experiences are sometimes bitter too but make it a point to learn from everything & you will land on the port of 'SUCCESS'!! GOD BLESS!! ALL THE BEST!! www.creatingcolourfulfuture.com
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Aug 07
How true..this person obviously didn't have the patience to read the whole thing
1 person likes this
@amante17 (26)
• United States
10 Aug 07
I agree if people could just slow down and read everything then they would understand
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Aug 07
Yes people really need to read!
1 person likes this
@celovich (26)
• United States
10 Aug 07
wow thats really laughable! Some people need to have more patience when dealing with such touchy subjects. Dont sweat it!
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Aug 07
Thanks there...I won't sweat it...LOL
1 person likes this
• China
10 Aug 07
I have the same opinion with you that I donnot see anything wrong in the interracial marriage. everyone is equal and everyone has his own freedom. I think it is stupid to criticize interracia marriage.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Aug 07
Thank you for your response there :)
• United States
10 Aug 07
I don't know why people don't read all of the post before they reply.And I think it is great that you are part Native American. I have to ask. What nation are you from?
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Aug 07
I'm a real mix..lol...Zapotec, Mixtec, Wiccoccomicco (were part of the Powhatan Confederacy) and Cree..making me part Mexican, Native American and Cree bloods...also--get this..German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Irish, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish...not bad huh? LOL
2 people like this
• United States
10 Aug 07
I agree, sometimes they skim an answer until something just pops out at them. Usually when something pops out at me, I'll go back and read the whole paragraph. But maybe she already had her own conclusions and judgements about you, and so didn't need to read further. I get very frustated with this as well.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Aug 07
Well she certainly had the wrong conclusions and judgments... Seems we've all had our share of people like this..no?
2 people like this
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
10 Aug 07
People have different understanding and interpreting words. I too somtimes misunderstood what was being said, not that I do not understand what it is, it is just that I interpret it differently, according to my understanding. In my opinion, people do read, but people also assume. Mostly, I feel it is because people assume and it is because of this assumption that the frequency gets distorted. Perhaps that's why effective communication is so important.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Aug 07
That was probably her case..she just assumed things, but the wrong way
1 person likes this
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
10 Aug 07
A lot of people don't read what the discussion says before responding. I can't even count the number of idiotic responses I've recieved in my discussion from people that didn't bother to take 3 seconds to read what I wrote. Don't worry about that person, ignorance is bliss and apparently she's piss happy!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Aug 07
Oh--that's funny...yes she must be piss happy :)
2 people like this
• Singapore
10 Aug 07
oh yea.. i hate it when people don't read properly..
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Aug 07
Wish they would read what's being said
2 people like this