By Stephen M. Lepore For Dailymail.Com
A University of Central Florida professor is in trouble after videos of his online lectures showed he appeared to be using a brown face and an accent that some thought was inappropriate.
Kenneth Hanson is an associate professor in the school’s Judaic Studies Program. He also has a website where he promotes himself as ‘Jerusalem Jones’.
His biography describes itself as: ‘Dr. Hanson is passionate about his research into the ancient world and takes his ecumenical message beyond the scientific boundaries in which they were once imprisoned. His appearances on syndicated radio and national television (The History Channel) have brought ancient insights into everyone’s world.”
The photos show him dressed more or less like Indiana Jones, but it’s some of his videos that really got him into trouble.
During the lectures, he wears brown makeup to make his skin look darker, he wears traditional Middle Eastern clothes, spoiling an exaggerated beard and voice.
A University of Central Florida professor is in trouble after videos of his online lectures showed he appeared to be using a brown face and an accent that some thought was inappropriate
Kenneth Hanson is an associate professor in the school’s Judaic Studies Program. He also has a website where he promotes himself as ‘Jerusalem Jones’
His biography describes itself as: ‘Dr. Hanson is passionate about his research into the ancient world and takes his ecumenical message beyond the scientific boundaries in which they were once imprisoned. His appearances on syndicated radio and national television (The History Channel) have brought ancient insights into everyone’s world.”
The pictures show him dressed more or less like Indiana Jones, but it’s some of his videos that really got him in trouble
The videos are posted on a public website alongside his curriculum.
A student of Hanson’s, who asked not to be identified, said watching the videos “made them feel like I was in a class in the 1960s.” It does not make any sense.’
Hanson has faced heat in the past, with an anonymous student complaining in 2018 about his “disparaging and stereotyped portrayal of cultures and religions.”
UCF’s Office of Institutional Equity said at the time: “Dr. Hanson has not inappropriately portrayed cultures that are not his, or even his own.’
A student filed a report against Hanson again in 2021 FOS 35 and apparently the college professor was told to stop darkening his skin.
The university responded to the new complaints in a statement: “We acknowledge that this content was offensive to a portion of the UCF community. The videos related to the complaints are by Dr. Hanson has been removed from the courses and he is working with his department leadership and students to address any further concerns about course content.”
A student of Hanson’s, who asked not to be identified, said watching the videos “made them feel like I was in a class in the 1960s.” There is no point’
Hanson has faced heat in the past, with an anonymous student complaining about his “disparaging and stereotyped portrayal of cultures and religions” in 2018
UCF’s Office of Institutional Equity said at the time: “Dr. Hanson has not inappropriately portrayed cultures that are not his, or even his own.”
Hanson has written nine books on the Middle East
Syria Lutfi, the president of the university’s Palestine Student Union, said of the videos: “Knowing that this man works here at an institution that I pay so much money for and of which I am so proud is so hurtful to see. ‘
The student who made his complaints publicly wants an apology from Hanson and an explanation from the university why he was allowed to make the videos.
Hanson has written nine books on the Middle East. All videos previously posted on his website have been knocked down.
