Chapter 1: The Billboard Controversy

In a location many consider to be the most refined five blocks in the nation, a billboard promoting cookies designed for lactating mothers faced demands for removal.

Molly Baz, a cookbook author, collaborated with the company Swehl to showcase her lactation cookie recipe. The advertisement was prominently featured in Times Square, accompanied by various other billboards displaying attractive models, both male and female, in revealing outfits from brands like Calvin Klein, Victoria's Secret, Skims, and Michael Kors.

This incident raises questions about societal double standards; while sexualized images of breasts are widely accepted, those depicting lactation or nursing seem to provoke backlash. Baz remarked to the New York Post that the prevalence of skin in Times Square is well-established, suggesting that it was the portrayal of a pregnant woman that led to the billboard's removal. She noted, "Just take a look at the landscape of the other billboards in Times Square, and the irony becomes apparent. Lingerie is welcome as long as it caters to the male gaze."

As the situation unfolded, Elizabeth Myer, co-founder of Swehl alongside Betsy Riley, expressed her frustration, stating, "This situation underscores the persistent societal shame surrounding our bodies and breasts at the highest levels." In an interview with the New York Times, she elaborated on the implications of the incident.

Originally intended to run during Mother's Day week, the billboard was taken down for allegedly violating "guidelines on acceptable content," as indicated in an email reviewed by the New York Times. The initial artwork was flagged for scrutiny and subsequently replaced with a more subdued image of Baz sitting on a kitchen countertop, dressed in jeans and a crop top while enjoying one of her cookies.

This modified advertisement was deemed appropriate by the authorities and successfully ran for its intended duration. The contrasting values illustrated by this scenario echo a sentiment famously expressed by Jack Nicholson: "If you suck on a tit, the movie gets an R rating. If you hack off a tit with an ax, it will be a PG."

Section 1.1: The Double Standard in Advertising

The removal of the lactation cookie billboard highlights the conflicting messages surrounding body image in media and advertising. While provocative imagery is often accepted, nurturing representations are met with resistance.

Subsection 1.1.1: Societal Perceptions of Breasts

Chapter 2: Reflections on Body Acceptance

This incident serves as a catalyst for broader discussions on body acceptance and the need for a more inclusive representation of all bodies in advertising and media.