East Los Angelas?

Ok im from Miami,fl and was interested in going to the California State University (L.A) but I hear it's in a bad neiborhood with alot of mexican gangs. I am black by the way and I know alot of mexicans hate blacks and vice versa. Never been to california but where im from Miami has a very diverse city and cubans and blacks seem to get along well. But my question is will I be welcome in this particular area or safe. I dont wanna be walking to campus and have to fight off a bunch of mexicans. Im going there for educational purposes only. By the way im not afraid just narrowing my choices down between Los Angelas Or Chicago. Serious anwsers please...