DOWNTOWN : Minority Authors Will Lead Series

The Central Library’s newest lineup of speakers is designed to hit the city’s diverse, multicultural population where it lives.

“Imaging The U.S.: An Exploration of Autobiographical Writings,” a three-night series starting Tuesday, brings together several prominent minority authors who will explore topics such as black maleness, class divisions in America and literary expression in oppressive societies.

Author Quincy Troope and filmmaker Isaac Julien will headline the first event titled “Improvising Lives.” Nicaraguan-born poet Gioconda Belli and Chinese author Anchee Min will host a discussion called “Memoirs as Social Testimony and Acts of Resistance” on April 18.

The series will close April 25 with National Book Award 1992 finalist Dorothy Allison, author of “Bastard Out of Carolina,” and Greg Sarris, chief of the Coast Miwok Indian tribe and professor of English at UCLA. They will discuss “Passing: Class, Race and Stories.”

The series is part of the library’s continuing effort to draw a diverse audience, said Louise Steinman, cultural programs director. The library is co-sponsoring the event.

“I think of the library as a truly grand public space, and it’s really for everyone,” said Steinman. She said she is enthusiastic because of the high caliber of the participants.

“It’s great because the issues they are talking about will apply to a cross-section of people.”

Each author will read from an autobiographical work, said Roberto Bedoya, project associate at the Getty Center for the History of Art and the Humanities, which organized the series. They will discuss its impact on their work, followed by a conversation with the audience.

“The spirit is conversational,” said Bedoya. “It’s to have some enlightening conversations around this subject and understand it a little better.”

The autobiographical form is pivotal for understanding minority literature, Bedoya said. “It seems that people of color have to write their own memoirs to get established.” In the first installment of the series, “Quincy (Troope) is going to talk about (author) John Edgar Wideman and about father-and-son relationships and black maleness,” said Bedoya. Julien, who is gay, will then give his thoughts on Troope’s remarks.

Troope co-authored the 1990 Miles Davis autobiography, “Miles,” and won an American Book Award for his collection of poetry, “Snake-Back Solos.” Julien rose to international prominence in 1989 with the release of his film, “Looking for Langston,” a controversial study of poet Langston Hughes.

Belli, who participated in the political struggle to overthrow the Somoza dictatorship in her country, and Min, whose book “Red Azalea” is banned in China, will discuss writing in countries with strong government controls.

“There is almost a state version on how to behave” in countries with authoritarian governments, Bedoya said. “The conversation of political systems will come up, but they will talk about how these memories were received in their country and what they were saying.”

Each event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St. The events are free. Parking is $5.50. Information: (310) 541-6526.