The candy brand M&M’s decided to stop using the well-known multicolored chocolate chip characters after criticism from the conservative right in the United States, who consider the mascots to be politicized.
The controversy began with the launch, in September, of a new member of the family of “spokescandies” (candy spokespersons), named Purple (violet), who became the group’s third female character – after Green (green). Brown (brown), created, according to M&M’s, “to represent acceptance and inclusion”.
However, the color violet in the United States usually symbolizes support for the LGBTQ community and the expression of homosexuality, which was not well accepted by internet users and far-right politicians, who accused the company Mars Wrigley, maker of M&Ms, of politicizing the candy.
According to critics, the characters of the M&M became “woke”, an English word used in the United States to denote activism against all forms of discrimination and exclusion related to one or more minorities.
The controversy resurfaced in early January with the sale of a special limited edition packaging, which exclusively includes the three colors of the female characters: green, brown and purple.
“Woke M&Ms are back,” Tucker Carlson, one of the main presenters, protested Fox newsknown for the conservative views of some of its best-known professionals.
Ironically, Carlson said that Green was “possibly lesbian” and Purple was “overweight”, referring to their oval shape, similar to that of peanut-filled M&M’s.
A year ago, Carlson criticized the M&Ms for replacing Green’s white boots with sneakers, making her “less sexy.”
On Monday, the M&Ms referenced the topic on Twitter. “America, let’s talk. Over the past year we’ve made some changes to our beloved spokespersons. We weren’t sure anyone could handle it. And we definitely didn’t think it would affect the internet. But now we realize: even the shoes of a candy cane can cause polarization. It was the last thing the M&Ms wanted, because our goal is to bring people together,” reads.
A message from M&M’S. pic.twitter.com/EMucEBTd9o
– M&M’S (@mmschocolate) January 23, 2023
The company reported that it decided to suspend the characters due to the controversy.
The dolls are therefore replaced in the new advertising campaigns by actress and comedian Maya Rudolph. “We are confident that Ms. Rudolph will champion the power of fun to create a world that everyone feels part of,” concluded M&M’s.
Source: DN
