Kevin Flake The Education of Shelby Knox is a remarkable documentary, just as it appears that, Shelby Knox herself is a remarkable woman. The documentary itself focuses on the city of Lubbock, Texas, a high school sophomore named Shelby Knox, and the state of sexual education in Lubbock's public school system. Shelby joins the Lubbock Youth Commission, a group the city formed to give local youths a voice, and in doing so develops her own, which she still uses for feminist activist causes today. Shelby defines herself as a "good Southern-Baptist girl" and a "Democrat". In Lubbock, those terms should never be in the same sentence, so much of Shelby's journey, while becoming an activist, is about reconciling those ideas within herself. Once she has, it is the rest of the world's job to catch up. She tackles not only the president of the Lubbock Youth Commission to have her voice and ideas understood, but also her parents, peers, pastor, and community. She appears on radio and television shows and even marches around a church to support gay rights, her conservative mother beside her.This documentary, which is largely observational on the part of the filmmakers, opens up a discourse about sex, politics, societal rights, and social mores, not only for Shelby and her parents, but for all teenagers who want more from their education and thus more for their lives. Thank you, Shelby Knox for wanting more.

elizabeth-shafer Many reviewers call Shelby Knox an "unlikely advocate" for comprehensive sex education since she is a Southern Baptist, but I feel that the film and its heroine are the epitome of Christian values. Shelby a Southern Baptist by faith recognizes an issue of social justice in her community. She sees that people are suffering - suffering from unwanted pregnancy and misinformation about safe-sex and sexuality. Instead of sheepishly following the beliefs of her community, she stands strong against members of her community that threaten her and her sympathizers. Without stating it explicitly, Shelby recognizes that J.C. would not usher judgment upon the sexuality of young adults in her community in the way that her community leaders do. It's clear that her defiance is spiritually based and wise beyond her years. Although she is unsuccessfully in convincing her local school board to instate a comprehensive sex education program during her high school career, I know this film will influence change in hearts and minds across the U.S.P.S. My favorite part of the movie is the fact that the ultra-conservative anti-sex ed school board member is brought down in controversy after a discovery that he had used the school computers on school time to proposition a coworker for sexual favors. I know that isn't super Christian of me to cast judgment back on him; I'm praying about it.

Jenn Brown Shelby Knox is a role model for all teens. She questions the way things are and what's she's told and stands up for her beliefs and for others.While sex education is the focus of the film, it is more the foundation of the issues Shelby faces. Shelby takes on the battle of sex ed despite the fact she is not sexually active; the fact that sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy are epidemic in her town is the driving force behind her campaign for fact-based sex ed. THE EDUCATION OF SHELBY KNOX is about more than what Shelby is fighting for, but about young people standing up for themselves and wanting to make a difference. Her strength and integrity is a role model to other teens (and all ages, for that matter).

katethegreat008 Shelby Knox is a brilliant, strong, passionate, inspired, and determined young woman whose fight for truth, liberation and justice has become not only a huge part of her life, but an incredible accomplishment as well. I know this not only from the film, but because she is a personal friend of mine. The struggles and obstacles she has faced over the years were an immense amount to handle for a 15-year-old girl, but have made more of a difference than most people make in a lifetime. The film portrays her situation and strife with perfect accuracy, and I recommend this to anyone interested in watching a fight for what's right in action.