THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412130121
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 150 lines
Blacks had little or no impact in Norfolk's development over the last few centuries. At most, they were memorable only for stirring up trouble and being public enemies.
True or false?
The answer is false, but 20 years ago that was the sort of information John H. Foster found when he searched through the city's historical books for a divinity school research paper. Since then, he made it his goal to change history.
Foster, now a pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church, saw the result of his efforts last month when ``Norfolk: The First Four Centuries'' made its debut. The book, the city's official history, was written by Thomas C. Parramore with Peter C. Stewart and Tommy L. Bogger.
``I'm very elated that we have rewritten the history of Norfolk to include more factual information,'' said Foster, a former Norfolk city councilman. ``In particular, the life and contributions of African Americans, women and other immigrants.''
Foster said he is so happy with the final version of the new history that he now is reading the book for a second time.
``I was very, very pleased,'' he said. ``We've had blacks who played significant roles in the wars, and we've had individuals who were normal citizens who helped hold together life in the city and moved it forward.''
A copy of the book sits in his church study - a dimly lit comfort zone filled with rows and rows of Bibles and reference books. The room's calm, inviting atmosphere mirrors the man himself.
A Louisburg, N.C., native, Foster wanted to be a lawyer when he was younger. He discovered his calling into the ministry during his stint in the Army.
He received his undergraduate and theological training from Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C.. He then went to Howard University in Washington, D.C., to receive a doctorate in religion. He has been senior pastor at Shiloh since 1967.
It was during his time at Howard that he had to study the roles blacks played in Norfolk's development. After he could find only bits and pieces of information, he decided he wanted to make a change.
That desire gained speed 10 years ago when he was first elected to Norfolk City Council. Just four months into his first term, he argued to council that the city's history books were incomplete and that blacks, women and other minorities were virtually nonexistent.
``The African Americans were only mentioned in the other books in a stereotypical fashion,'' Foster said. ``They were referred to as causing problems, they were a cause of concern, and they were not presented as individuals who contributed to the well-being of the city.''
City Council unanimously agreed that a revised history was long overdue. The council then decided to commission a new history book that would include the groups that had been overlooked.
The city's last official history - ``Norfolk: Historic Southern Port'' - was written in 1930. At that time stereotypes and omissions of minorities and women were the norm, Foster said.
``What was written was the only thing that would have been accepted in those days,'' Foster said. ``It was the idea of the time.''
However, he said, there is no excuse for that book's lack of black life and achievements.
``It talks about good schools in Norfolk,'' he said. ``It did not name a singular black school. Most of what it said about blacks, very much of it, was derogatory.''
Bogger, a historian at Norfolk State University and one of the book's authors, said Foster helped bring the pieces into place to get the book completed.
``He helped set the parameters years ago when the (book's) advisory committee was first formed,'' Bogger said. ``He brought together people in the community from different backgrounds.''
Bogger added that while Foster had a large role in the book's creation, he didn't try to dominate the research or censor any early drafts.
``He decided to keep his distance and not have an undue influence on things,'' Bogger said. ``I admire him for that.''
Foster said he was concerned with both the book's content and development.
``I was persistent in seeing that the book was produced,'' he said. ``I've tried to be a citizen concerned about my fellow citizens.''
That concern hasn't stopped just with ``Norfolk.'' Over the years, Foster has been a whirlwind throughout the city for the past 17 years, involving himself in organizations and causes that affect countless lives.
Prior to his City Council stint, he served for seven years on the Norfolk School Board, and he has been deeply involved with voter registration drives.
In addition, Foster has developed a number of community outreach programs at Shiloh Baptist Church, including education classes and a service for unwed mothers. Among other posts, he currently is corporate board chairman of the National Baptist Convention USA, advisory board member of Norfolk State's School of Social Work and is also on the board of directors at Crestar Bank of South Hampton Roads.
``I'm involved with so many things,'' he said. ``I'm still obligated to the last minute. I make all the meetings I can.''
With so many duties Foster said he has had to cut some loose, such as running again for City Council. But despite the demands, he always has managed to find time for his wife and two sons.
``It takes a lot of his time, but I never see him tired,'' said Foster's wife, Salona Eggleston Foster. ``He enjoys it so much.
``I feel proud of him. I try to help him with anything he's been a part of. I give him 100 percent.''
John Foster's strong belief in education was passed on to his sons. His oldest , Laguna, is a fourth-grade teacher at Bowling Park Elementary, and his other son, John Shevin Foster, teaches at Virginia State University.
``I can't remember a time he wasn't doing something for someone,'' said Laguna Foster, 36. ``He's definitely my idol. If I can do half of what he's done I'll be satisfied.''
Other groups in the area haven't overlooked his efforts, either. Earlier this month, the Alpha Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity awarded Foster its ``Citizen of the Year'' award.
``I'm humbled by it,'' Foster said. ``I try to give a lot, and I made sacrifices to be involved. I feel it's a great honor.''
Alpha Phi Alpha recognized Foster's educational, spiritual and civic achievements in Hampton Roads. Education and economics are two key areas he tries to stress, he said.
``I look at what my values are,'' he said. ``That's why I spent considerable time in education. I also try to use the opportunity to bring to the community the awareness of the value of the dollar.''
Although ``Norfolk: The First Four Centuries'' has been completed, Foster is still trying to change history. He said he works daily to help the community overcome some of its problems. To survive, he said, ethnic communities must focus on three key areas.
``Education, economics and spiritual well-being - those are three webs as to whether an ethnic community can succeed and do well,'' he said. ``That's my basic philosophy.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
Dr. John H. Foster has been the senior pastor at Shiloh Baptist
Church since 1967 and was a member of the City Council for 10 years
Staff photos by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Foster and the authors presented ``Norfolk: The First Four
Centuries'' to city leaders at a City Council meeting.
Staff photo by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Langston D. Smith, right, presents Foster with the Alpha Phi Alpha
``Citizen of the Year'' award at the fraternity's recent 21st annual
Black and Gold Civic Awards Banquet.
Graphic
ON THE COVER
The cover photograph, taken by staff photographer Jim Walker, shows
Dr. John H. Foster in his office at Shiloh Baptist Church on Park
Avenue.
by CNB