AMERICAN MOSAIC May 22, 2026

The Getty Villa in Malibu and California State University Northridge offer a key message to America.

A week ago, Carolyn and I—along with our sons Seth and Aaron, and son-in-law Jeremy—flew down to Los Angeles for our son Yosi’s graduation ceremony. Yosi completed the demanding bachelor’s coursework for CSUN’s music therapy program—hard to get into, hard to stay.

On Sunday, five of us went to the Getty Villa, a recreated Roman country home housing Greek and Roman antiquities. At the far end of a gigantic pool stood a large mosaic. What fascinated me most about the mosaic with its peaked roof and series of arches was what fascinates me about mosaics in general—the significant role played by every small piece of tile.

Many tiles were brilliant blue, red, ochre, green. Others were less vivid—cream, dark blue, black. Many obviously occupied the middle of the mosaic where a two-handled gold jug appears in an arch several feet above a bearded face with circular eyes. Other tiles spread out to the mosaic’s borders—not out of view but less likely to draw individual attention. 

Then again, what tile gains individual attention among several thousand?

Yet every tile is critically important to the work as a whole. Each, regardless of color or placement, plays a role in creating breathtaking art. If a piece goes missing, it will be noticed and the work diminished.

Which brings me to the graduates who walked the stage Monday night. CSUN held several ceremonies. This one awarded degrees to hundreds of grads of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication. 

Yosi was among the last students to walk across the stage because that was the lot of the music department. Did it matter? No. Moreover, it gave me the opportunity to focus on every graduate.

As their names were called and the grads walked proudly, I became aware—again—of the incredible mosaic the United States represents. Students—younger and older (Yosi will be 45)—came from all ethnic backgrounds. Latinos were most represented, but Black, white, Asian, Chistian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and whatever else made their mark. All wore their cap and gown proudly. Yosi also wore an honors sash. Each grad had people in the audience to applaud and cheer. 

When the ceremony ended, everyone—grads, family and friends—had shared an important time together. Many came from Los Angeles. Others from elsewhere. Our home is in San Francisco, Seth’s in Florida. All shared the same pride and respect for the work our graduates did.

Those CSUN grads will now go their separate ways. Yosi soon begins a six-month internship at The Child Development Center in Pasadena. Some grads may become famous. They’ll resemble those brightly colored tiles on the mosaic’s male face. Many will make their way through life more quietly, like those tiles pushing out towards the mosaic’s borders.

Like the diverse colored tiles on the Getty mosaic, all the grads will play a role in forming a more beautiful picture of American life than, say, a mosaic of only white tiles ever could. 

You don’t need to be an artist or earn a college degree to learn that it takes all of us as individuals to build and maintain a healthy, vibrant society. 

To understand the background of today’s far-right, authoritarian descent, read my new novel, RIDE THE TYGER. Order from Amazon, barnesandnoble.com, iuniverse.com, or your favorite bookstore.