New crayon range promoted as “racially inclusive”.

 

Crayola Australia has introduced a new line of “racially inclusive” crayons, pencils and markers under the name ‘Çolors of the World’.

 

The 24-pack multicultural crayons, pencils and matching colouring books are now in local stores with the markers scheduled to hit shelves in June.

 

Crayola’s US-based CEO Rich Wuerthele said: “With the world growing more diverse than ever before, Crayola hopes our new Colors of the World crayons will increase representation and foster a greater sense of belonging and acceptance.

 

“We want the new Colors of the World crayons to advance inclusion within creativity and impact how kids express themselves,” he said.

 

The Colors of the World range has 40 shades and includes 72 drawing implements in a diverse range of skin tones.

 

The company said these “realistic” colour names would “help kids easily find the shade they identify as their own”.

 

While some users in the US have praised the new range of crayons as “a great idea” and “just what we needed”, the publicity for the product has prompted discussion, with some labelling the move as “political correctness on steroids”.

 

Meantime, Sky News Australia’s host Paul Murray commented: “Congratulations to Crayola who have “finally solved racism” by introducing new "racially inclusive" crayons. Racism, as we know it, is apparently everywhere including crayons.".