The Gray brothers, Milton, Fleming (more commonly referred to by his middle name \u201cDanny\u201d) and Vender were some of Mount Allison University\u2019s first ever Black students.<\/p>\n
Milton Gray, in fact, was the very first Black person to attend Mount Allison in the early 1940s.<\/p>\n
An unfinished portrait of Milton, who would have been a teenager at the time, is currently on display in the Owens Art Gallery and on their website.<\/p>\n
Falvey says that Milton did not complete his studies as he was drafted by the United States military.<\/p>\n
Milton attended Mount Allison while Alex Colville was there, which is why there is this unfinished portrait of Milton on the back of Alex Colville\u2019s self portrait.<\/p>\n
Falvey says that Milton\u2019s portrait calls attention to the lack of Black people accounted for in Mount Allison\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of things led us to a desire to examine the absence and presence of Blackness in our collection, and it\u2019s mostly absence. So this seemed like an opportunity to highlight this, and then try to think critically about it,\" Salvey said.<\/p>\n
The three brothers Gray were all originally from New York City, and Milton\u2019s brother Danny noted that the Mount Allison and Sackville community was not particularly welcoming.<\/p>\n
He often experienced anti-Black racism, such as the only barber in town refusing to cut his hair, a restaurant in Amherst refusing to serve him, and spectators at University rugby games yelling racial slurs at him.<\/p>\n
Danny Gray wrote in his later years that, \u201c[he] was unused to hostility from strangers, especially since [he] couldn\u2019t figure it out\u2026 a reason. [He] was continually anxious. In addition, there was no one with whom [he] could talk. [He] never saw another Black person in the surrounding vicinity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The brothers Gray, among countless other Black students, are often underrepresented in Mount Allison\u2019s history. But that does not mean that Black students are not a significant part of Mount Allison\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Falvey says the Owens is \u201ctrying to make a connection between the absence of Blackness in [their] collection, but also the presence of Black history at Mount A, and how that history is not told.\u201d<\/p>\n
Falvey says that the Owens Art Gallery is in need of an update when it comes to showcasing Black history, and Black artists in general.<\/p>\n
The Gallery currently only has one Black artist in its permanent collection.<\/p>\n
She says that showcasing Gray\u2019s portrait is part of an ongoing work in progress to showcase the past, present, and future of Black art.<\/p>\n
\u201cFebruary is a great time to engage with Black history, but Black historians work all year, all the time,\" Falvey said.<\/p>\n
The Gallery is only open to students, faculty, and staff by appointment during the orange phase of COVID-19 restrictions.<\/p>\n
Community members can hopefully take a look at Milton Gray\u2019s portrait upon the province\u2019s eventual return to the yellow phase, or by checking out their website.<\/p>\n
You can also read more about Danny Gray by\u00a0accessing the winter 2018 edition of Mount Allison\u2019s \u201cThe Record.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Hear this story as reported by CHMA:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n