ABSTRACT

This chapter considers how some aspects of the life and experiences in the field affected the interpretations of racist groups and how studying the enemy in turn changed. The emotions invoked in sociological fieldwork, a staple of informal talk among researchers, are rarely discussed in print. Pondering one's emotional state can seem departure into narcissistic self-reflection. In fact, there is a critical need for research on racist networks; international ties among racist groups; the extent to which people remain in racist groups over time; whether young, racist skin heads eventually move into adult racist groups; whether children raised in racist, activist families retain that allegiance over time; and a host of other issues. It suggests that researchers, especially those using qualitative methods, need to consider and discuss with colleagues, students, and friends the anger, resentment, fatigue, indignation, annoyance, aggravation, outrage, and irritation that are evoked by entanglement with their subjects, whether alive or long dead, whether anonymous or known personally.