NYC is self segregated by neighborhoods, people like to be amongst those from the same ethnicity and culture. There are many areas where you can never encounter someone from a different ethnicity if you choose to. That being said John Gotti was a huge racist and used to mock Willie Boy Johnson for being American Indian, calling him half-breed. Willie Boy resented this and it played a part in his decision to becoming an informer. John might have invited a Black or Puerto Rican over for a barbecue, maybe. But you weren't gonna find a moulignon at no baptisms, communions, confirmations, weddings or family functions. For example, South Ozone Park is right next to Howard Beach where in 1986 Michael Griffith, a young Black man, was set upon by local neighborhood youths, and chased onto the Belt Pkwy where he was struck and killed by a passing motorist.
What do you think would of happened if an Italian went into a black hood at night? He would get robbed and shot, lets get real.
Generally speaking Black's don't view people by their ethnicity but rather by their skin color, you're either Black or not, and if not, you're White. They don't differentiate whether you're American Indian, Armenian, or Anglo Saxon, you're White people. Some neighborhoods, like E. New York, Brownsville, Soundview in the Bronx, certain projects in Harlem, it doesn't matter what color you are. If you ain't from the Hood or the Block, and don't have anyone to step up for you, you're gonna have problems. As soon as you step on the street your being scoped out and evaluated, and if you're not sagging and representing the Hood in your mannerisms and dress. You're gonna be exposed and sized up for a mark and you're gonna get jacked, straight up.