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Education of Shelby Knox

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Education of Shelby Knox
Mark Brannan
5/30/13
The Education of Shelby Knox
The education of Shelby Knox was a complete mind-blower for me. The video follows young Shelby Knox, from Lubbock, Texas, as she aspires to get sex education into schools in Lubbock. This town preaches abstinence, and the town’s people appear to be incredibly ignorant. Ignorant may be an understatement . The teen pregnancy rates here are twice the national average, as are the sexual transmitted disease rates. They don’t believe in teaching sex education because the town’s people believe very strongly in the idea that sex isn’t permitted until marriage. Shelby’s fight goes for naught as the town holds their ground. The video also shows Shelby’s unique relationship with her parent’s, and the resistance they even have with her and her fight for sex education in schools. The film also touches on gays and their fight for equal rights within the schools.
Lubbock , Texas is a place I would never like to visit. The people there seem to be living in the 1800’s still. Shelby and the youth commission were fighting for a very good cause. Sex education is very important. It can teach the rewards, dangers, and consequences of having sex. As the old saying goes, knowledge is strength. If these kids don’t have the knowledge, how can they ever be expected to make smart decisions? Based on the bible and their commitment to the church? It is absolutely ridiculous that religion is even mentioned when this topic comes up. The town, as mentioned above, has earned twice the national average for teen pregnancy and std rates. The church angle clearly isn’t working. I agree with Shelby’s fight, it is very courageous of her. I disagree with the towns council, the residents , and the school boards stance on the issue.
I do believe this film covered all perspectives and issues at hand. No, Shelby Knox’s fight didn’t turn out the way one would have hoped, but it did enlighten every viewer to the fact that Lubbock, Texas and the vast

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