In recent months, news stories have focused on the issue of crime within Providence's nightclubs. Unfortunately, many people who have a stake in the continued operation of these venues are attempting to muddy the waters and deflect blame for their own failures as proprietors. As a person who has been harmed by these venues — and who has also worked in human services for 20 years — I may be in a unique position to comment.

Some of the nightclubs that have gone before the city Board of Licenses have brought attention on themselves by virtue of their chronic lawbreaking and disregard for the safety and welfare of the people living in the neighborhoods.

Last week, Mayor Jorge Elorza requested that Juan Pichardo step down from his position as chair of that board. Mr. Pichardo suggested that Mayor Elorza had bowed to political pressure. This was likely the case, and good for the mayor for listening to his constituents!

Those who would like to know the whole story may simply enter Juan Pichardo’s name into Google. What you will find is that Mr. Pichardo has repeatedly, and for a number of years, ignored evidence presented to him surrounding the danger posed by particular venues. He has even gone so far as to overturn otherwise universal board opinions (Mr. Pichardo being the lone voice of dissent), allowing businesses deemed unsafe to continue to operate.

The Board of Licenses hearing last week focused on The Penthouse, a new club on South Water Street. (It voted to strip the club of its licenses.) I witnessed the owner becoming very upset and alleging that the police and neighbors did not want this club operating in the well-to-do East Side because it caters to people of color.

What I heard from Providence citizens, as well as representatives of the diverse Providence police force, was that there have been multiple incidences of violence outside the club, including at least two instances of shots fired. The neighbors are not attempting to discriminate. They feel unsafe, and the city has a duty to maintain order.

As a social worker, I can attest that there is a real danger in citing racism as a universal catchall to explain the motivation of other people.

Racism and discrimination are alive and real. However, when patrons illegally bring weapons into a club and then, following a disagreement, fire shots in or outside of the club, it seems absurd to allege that they are simply being targeted because of discrimination.

In order to support the most disenfranchised members of our society, social workers must be able to identify racism and confront it head-on. When our clients are denied housing because of their race, this is a form of discrimination. When the city tries to shut down a nightclub wherein patrons are engaging in shootouts, we call this equitable enforcement of the law.

This is not discrimination, this is discernment. People should not make allegations of racism to serve their own needs. Actions have consequences, and those of us in the helping professions need the public to be clear about what racism looks like or the word is cheapened and it hurts people.

Adam R. Vareika, of Providence, is a licensed social worker and holds diplomatic status from the National Center for Crisis Management.