Crayola has launched a new range of crayons to represent 40 different skin tones and reflect ‘the full spectrum of human complexions’. 

No doubt, during COVID-19, some bright Crayola spark working from home in their pyjamas has brushed up on what they think the company needs to ensure its survival beyond the pandemic in our politically correct world. 

The range is being sold exclusively in the USA and contains a variety of light to dark shades for children to choose from. 

Crayola’s Chief Executive undoubtedly had a lot of time to work on the politically correct and acceptable global lines before announcing the range’s release. 

Just imagine the endless workshopping and Zoom meetings making sure that Crayola remains on point and oh so woke. 

“With the world growing more diverse than ever before, Crayola hopes our new ‘Colours of the World’ crayons will increase representation and foster a greater sense of belonging and acceptance,” said Crayola Chief executive Rich Weurthele. 

Crayola has thought of everything. 

The language, the avoidance of ever being politically incorrect. Stay tuned for the ubiquitous carbon-neutral, sustainable, BPA free label somewhere on the packet. 

No doubt the marketing, media, communications, cultural diversity departments of Crayola carefully ensured that the announcement was made with perfect precision to coincide with the United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. 

The crayons will be wrapped in a gradient skin tone label with the colour name in English, Spanish and French and a “realistic” colour name such as Light Golden, Deep Almond and Medium Deep Rose. 

The new range includes 24 new crayons designed to mirror and represent more than 40 different skin tones. 

So, no more green, red or blue people because Crayola wants children to “accurately colour themselves into the world.” 

Let me give Crayola and Mr Weurthele some free advice from suburbia. 

Crayola crayons have been part of most peoples’ childhoods for decades. When a child draws those green, red or blue people, parents and caregivers are just delighted their children are able to draw, hold a crayon for their fine motor skill development and even happier when those crayons get mushed up at the end and the wrapper is peeled off entirely at times. 

During coronavirus-induced homeschooling, brands like Crayola have played an important part in simply encouraging kids to learn, especially the young ones who love to draw green, red or blue people either as themselves or in general.  

One of a child’s proudest moments is a crayoned drawing on the fridge with people of all different colours and proportions all over the page. 

We all know there are a myriad of skin tones around the world but Crayola has overreached and in this bizarre world is no doubt worried that some activist group will target it for racism for not having a politically correct coloured product in 2020. 

Note to Crayola: “light golden, deep almond and medium deep rose” refers to women’s makeup foundation colours or blushers sold by beauty companies. And, “Yes”, if a man is feeling fluid one day, he can also wear them. 

Stick to making great crayons, not venturing into trendy politically correct causes that really have little relevance to most normal–minded people. 

Sadly, racism exists. But children are not born racist, it is a learned condition. Changing colours of crayons doesn’t change this. 

Without the approved skin tones on my crayons, I’m not sure how I’ve reached 47 years old with friends from all over the world and always simply seen them as people and my children have done the same. 

Illustrations: Crayola.

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