Video Review: The Education of Shelby Knox

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I picked a video not on our list. “The Education of Shelby Knox” is a documentary, following the life and struggles of a young high school student as she defends what she believes in. The movie is an awesome story about standing up for yourself and speaking out, even if you are alone in your stance. It shows that young people, young women included, can have a positive change on those around them.

Shelby lives in Lubbock, Texas. In her city, the teen pregnancy and STI rates are almost twice the national average. Of course, Lubbock is in the “Bible Belt” so purity balls and abstinence only education reign supreme. The coincidence is not lost on Shelby. While she herself has chosen an abstinence approach in her own life, she recognizes this is not realistic for the majority of students in her town. Shelby becomes a member of the Lubbock Youth Commission in order to strive to make a difference. She pleads with the school board to allow teachers to educate students on various ways to protect themselves. It is a losing battle, but for 4 years, she fights. In fact, Shelby is still fighting this issue today, although the movie ends when Shelby graduates high school.

We spent two weeks on the issue of sexual purity and the purity myth already, so I don’t want to dive back into that too much. But the film ties into the readings very well. Abstinence only education doesn’t work. More needs to be taught to our children. At one point in the movie, Shelby says something along the lines of, “[Sex education] is a life skill. Aren’t we supposed to be learning life skills in school? [The school system] is failing us.” And she’s right. Not everyone wants to be the Duggar’s and have 20 children. The desire to want to control your reproduction does end when marriage begins, or because you waited until marriage.

Of course, there are other purity issues that are addressed in the movie. Girls are only valuable if they are virgins. In fact, at many points in the movie questions are asked to people in the community. When asked what can be done about teen pregnancy, one person replied, “Girls need to learn self-respect.” Because girls make themselves pregnant. Yeah, I forgot we had that ability. Throughout the film, Shelby talks with her pastor, trying to reconcile her religious views with her social views. Of course, her pastor does not approve of her social views, but she tries anyway. At one point, Shelby is approached by a gay youth group. This starts her questioning even more issues. “If sex is only ok in marriage, what about those people who can’t get married?” Her pastor tells her that homosexuality is a sin, so why does it matter?

Ultimately, this movie deals with many issues that are often tough subjects for girls today. Girls are told to be in the background, quiet, seen and not heard. Shelby is a young activist, and a great role model for girls about the power they truly possess. It is not hidden between our legs and based on our ability to “protect it.” Our power lies in our minds, hearts, and willingness.

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