Ryan Mutama is a stand-up comic living in Vancouver who uses comedy as a way to explore more serious, social issues. The Peak caught up with Mutama to discuss race humour, how living in Vancouver has affected his comedy, and what the next step is.
[Interview has been edited and condensed for print]
So, where are you from?
I was born in Manchester, England and we moved to Vancouver when I was two. Then we moved to the States for five years, and finally we moved back to BC. I’ve lived in Vancouver for 16 years now.
What are your views on Vancouver?
I guess I don’t have the most positive opinion of Vancouver, but I am grateful for having grown up here. I wouldn’t be the same person I am without having lived in this town. The perspectives that make me a comedian were made in Vancouver. If I grew up in Chicago, I would have questioned things less. The biggest theme in my stand-up comedy is race relations. I have such an opinion on it because I grew up in a place where I always had to be an observer. If you’re the only black kid in an elementary school, you think, “Where are the people who look like me on TV?” I got to think a lot about race and culture and differences between people. Being unique forces you to analyze things.
How would you describe your comedy to someone who hasn’t seen it?
Random observations about race relations, seen through the lens of pop culture or politics. Most of the time, I’m analyzing race relations, but I’m analyzing them in a certain way. I have this joke about Morgan Freeman and why he’s always helping out white people in every movie. I like pointing out things that people may not have noticed. I like to throw people a snippet of a bigger issue in hopes that they think about that bigger issue or will walk away being slightly enlightened about race.
Regarding comedic IQ, do you think people can learn to be funny?
Yes, people can learn to be funny. I get annoyed when people underestimate comedy. People have this impression that comedy is for stupid people doing stupid things and anybody can do it, but it isn’t. It is such an art. The smarter you are, the better you are; the more observant you are, the better you’re going to be at it. When I write a joke, I ask myself, “Why do I find this funny and why will the audience find it funny?” Asking yourself those questions strengthens your comedic IQ.
People have said that your type of comedy is reinforcing black stereotypes. What is your response?
When you do race humour, there is always a question of, “Am I being responsible with my humour? Is what I’m doing reinforcing stereotypes?”
In order to do race humour effectively, a lot of people will interpret what you are doing as being irresponsible and reinforcing stereotypes. With Dave Chappelle, a lot of his sketches were about race and racial stereotypes.
There will be two types of people receiving his material: stupid people who say, “Yeah, that is what white people do” and there are smart people who look at that same material and say, “Oh, he is making fun of what people think white people do or he’s making fun of what people think black people do.” Two sides of the same coin: reinforcing stereotypes or lampooning what people think stereotypes are.
People have a comedic IQ and it’s something that can be gained. You can then learn to see past the surface and whether what a comedian says has real depth or if it’s just shallow.
Where do you see yourself seven years from now?
The next step for me is entering the arena of television and broadcasting. I want to know how to make a television program. I want to know how to direct, produce, and write efficiently. Also, I want to work on myself and my personality. I want to make sure that I am confident enough, experienced enough, and funny enough to be on camera.
If you were to sum up comedy in one sentence, what would it be?
“Necessary for the sanity of humanity.” Comedy is such a beautiful thing because it is curing. If you’re having a crappy day and something funny happens or someone tells a joke or makes you laugh, it’s a great release.
Everybody should have a sense of humour; everybody should laugh. You gotta keep sane, and I feel like humour is the best way for someone to keep mentally healthy.
For more on Ryan Mutama, you can go to his website, Black Geek Media, or you can check out his YouTube channel, also Black Geek Media.
