by Jallicia Jolly

The string of legislative and legal "victories" last month have created much discussion about civil rights and state power. The Supreme Court's approval of health care subsidies of the Affordable Care Act and the guarantee of the right to same sex-marriages, coupled with the passing of a legislation granting President Obama trade promotion authority, represent paramount reforms of the Obama administration that serve to further highlight the 'progress' of our troubled nation. Yet, the bottle-popping celebrations of these legislative "achievements" direct attention away from their connection to the politics of suffering of historically marginalized groups such as Black Americans and poor women of color.

Last week a federal judge ordered that the emergency contraception pill Plan B should be available over-the-counter to young women as young as 15 years old. While reproductive rights advocates and women's health groups praised the decision, but on Wednesday the Department of Justice filed notice that it will challenge the ruling in court.

The Federal Drug Administration (F.D.A.) recommended lowering the age limit on purchase of Plan B One-Step from 17 with valid ID to 15. FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said in an agency news release, "Research has shown that access to emergency contraceptive products has the potential to further decrease the rate of unintended pregnancies in the United States."