* This is a company that has been profiting off child labor for decades (ie. just Google child labor in the cocoa supply chain), yet has been incapable to significantly reduce this phenomenon (not eliminate, but significantly reduce), and shows no signs of decreasing their involvement in this very lucrative business. The owners are billionaires that seem to think they are not yet rich enough and have no issue with continuously making commitments to eliminate this problem, while consistently failing to meet said commitments. But the M&M characters are now more inclusive, so we have that.
* Another very simple Google search shows the ridiculously low representation of Black, Hispanic and other minority groups in Sr. Management. This is not a fluke. The company first set global I&D goals - I kid you not - just 2-3 years ago.
*While the company prides itself in pioneering a Marketing Code through which they commit to "not promote treats" to children, there are some pretty impressive mental gymnastics at play through which Associates are meant to believe that M&M characters are in reality aimed unequivocally and exclusively to adults, and not in way highly popular and attractive with children. That is literally the company stance.