Van Leesten Said, “Without a Vision, the People Will Perish" - Raymond Two Hawks Watson

Van Leesten Said, “Without a Vision, the People Will Perish" - Raymond Two Hawks Watson

“Without a vision, the people will perish.” The late Michael S. Van Leesten shared these words of wisdom with me while reflecting on how to most effectively be of service to the community. I’ve found much value in Mr. V’s remarks over my professional career. In 2022 Mr. V’s words continue to be relevant, especially when considering Rhode Island.

In my opinion, there’s no vision for Rhode Island; at least not one that’s inspiring. Rather, the situation is more properly described as a state that is doing a lot of things, but not necessarily getting a lot of things done. With no vision, the State remains stuck in this cycle of active stagnation, and millions of public dollars are expended in the process.

Rhode Islanders recall the infamous State tourism campaign of 2016. The State paid an out-of-state company millions of dollars to produce a lackluster marketing campaign that didn’t tell anyone anything particular about Rhode Island. Rather, after all the money spent Rhode Islanders were asked to support the State’s official transition from “the Ocean State” to “the Warmer and Cooler State” . . .  and Rhode Islanders were outraged. Rhode Island lacks a clear vision, and that’s why the State consistently waste public dollars on things that dissatisfy the Rhode Island public.

In my opinion, the greatest contributor to Rhode Island’s lack of vision is the State’s lack of clear branding. Rhode Island doesn’t know who it is. Rhode Islanders know that “the Ocean State” isn’t cutting the mustard. The problem is neither does “the Calamari Comeback State”. In general, there’s not much about the State’s brand that compels many new visitors to say, “Let’s go to Rhode Island!” Rhode Island also has a propensity for making headlines for issues that are counterproductive to the State’s branding efforts. The uproar over the State’s newest license plate design is a tremendous example of the State’s propensity to claim to be innovative, while in fact producing more of the same, and making sure to spend public dollars and embarrass the State in the process.

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In my opinion, lack of vision is a primary cause of the lackluster interest by many Rhode Islanders in the upcoming elections. Generally, Rhode Islanders don’t see any inspiring vision coming from most of the candidates. Much of the political platforms presented seem more like market researched sound bites, wrapped in one liners and zingers, served with a healthy side of hand gestures and affirmative tones than any sort of viable plan of action that will create positive change. Many Rhode Islanders just don’t find any of it inspiring, and I don’t blame them. COVID-19, an economic recession, civil unrest, mass shootings, gas prices, and now Rhode Islanders must entertain uninspiring political platforms that don’t promise any real change? Something’s got to give.

 

“Without a vision, the people will perish.” Words as relevant today as when Mr. V first shared them, and worthy of consideration by all Rhode Islanders.

 

My three cents

 

Raymond Two Hawks Watson, J.D., M.C.P.