Crayola began marketing "Multicultural Markers" at least 25 years ago. They definitely extended the range of more realistic skin colors available to kids in drawing, and they loved them. Are they paradoxical? No. Will they "backfire?" Also, no. As I said, they've been selling for at least 25 years, and if they had been a failure, then I doubt Crayola would have expanded the palette to crayons.

Crayola isn't pandering (and, I know you didn't say that.) They are honoring the many hues present in humankind, and they are allowing children and artists, for not everyone who uses crayons is a child, to have a choice for portraying skin colors. When I was growing up, the only crayone named for a skin color was "Flesh," and it darn sure didn't look like me.