Who said anything about Italians - although they certainly are in the Arthur Avenue section. Brooklyn is being increasingly gentrified - I thought even the Pygmies in Africa knew that. Meanwhile, Queens has huge melting pots of Greeks, Italians, Polish, Chinese, etc.
Do you live in NY?
I would find it hard to believe that you do. Where exactly in Queens TODAY, outside of Howard Beach, are all of these Italians you mention? Numerous Spanish-speaking people, Chinese, other Asian and Middle Easterners, Polish (in certain areas), yes, but rare few Italians (anywhere). I've lived in New York City all of my 50+ years, and am half Italian, with relatives and friends throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan, where I was born and lived until the early 70s before we moved to Queens where I've been ever since. You're definitely correct on the gentrification of Brooklyn, also Manhattan, with many nauseating yuppy types and other assorted liberal-orientated freaks.