ABSTRACT
Having focused in the previous chapter on various motivational and ideological characteristics of local BUF joiners, we will now consider the perspectives our oral respondents brought to bear on specific features of the movement. A pioneer of oral history research has remarked that oral testimony can oscillate between the recollection of the 'minutest' historical episode, and areas of silence and mental censorship. Memory can work actively to erase as well as recall.1 These omissions and silences usually occur with regard to sensitive episodes of personal or historical experience. Recollections concerning the BUF and anti-Semitism often fell into this category. Some local members remained silent or evasive on an issue which evidently caused discomfort. With regard to those who did offer perspectives on anti-Semitism, however, some interesting features can be discerned.
