Harper, Scout and Aidan

To Kill a Mockingbird still gives me shivers after the nearly forty years since I cracked open its pages and discovered a society that I didn't know existed in my sheltered Northern Ontario town in the late 1970's.  Now my almost fourteen year old son is on that same journey and mesmerized by the scenes that Harper Lee created - full of lush characters, social injustice and the primary message, I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.

Discrimination, racial segregation, white supremacy were all concepts that Aidan had great difficulty understanding.  While Autism comes with its issues, and identifying and recognizing social nuances is a prime example - my theory about his disbelief of this story is not due to his Autism, it is that he is a great human being who does not judge or differentiate.  I credit much of this to our home and how we have raised him.   Upon first glance from outsiders, we have some white privilege happening - nice house, European vehicles, vacations - but our family and our home is open.  Open in thought, open in opinions, open to lifestyle, open to culture - just open!

Scout and Atticus and Boo opened Aidan's mind to a time and a place that is very different from his own.  A vivid glimpse into how things have been, and unfortunately still today in present day. Ms. Lee published in July of 1960,  and some fifty-seven years later, this classic still reminds us, it educates us and it challenges us to create a world where our emerging leaders - like my son Aidan do not see colour or race or status - they just see folks.