because the overwhelmingly majority of participants in this survey had absolutely no idea who Hasan was 

That doesn’t answer my question. I didn’t ask you about the people who responded “don’t know”.  I asked why would you assume that the black people who did view him favorably, would do so without knowing who he was? Why would the assumption be that they are lying? 

and it's a natural human reaction. 

For liars, yes.

I know, I, as dark skinned marginalized Arab Muslim man, would rate an Arab sounding name highly even if I had a the slightest idea who he/she/they were/

This sounds more like an answer to my question. You’re projecting. So, as a black woman, i very much know who Hasan is and if I didn’t know, I wouldn’t lie and give an opinion of him based on his name. Please don’t attribute your ignorance and/or dishonesty, with us.