Notice
With
the New Year, The Black Commentator will usher in a change in
structure. Please take a few minutes to read this article as it
contains valuable information for you. Additionally, please be sure
to check your email frequently for the next few weeks as we will be
sending you specific information so that you will have uninterrupted
access to BC.
Beginning
with Issue #893 on January 6, 2022, BC will become Membership based.
What does this mean for you?
First,
Memberships will replace Subscriptions. Current Subscriptions will be
converted to a Membership and Membership login will be necessary to
read all but the Cover Story. The Cover Story will be available for
anyone to read, Member or not, as will Archives older than two weeks.
All the other current articles, cartoons, essays, recent Archives and
other content will be exclusively for Members.
Second,
the cost of Membership will be lower than the current cost of a
Subscription. You will have the option to purchase an annual,
6-month, 3-month or 1-month Membership. All Memberships will be
auto-renewing (although very easy to cancel, if you choose to.)
Here
are the Membership prices:
Annual
$ 34.95 (best value)
6-month
$19.95
3-month
$10.95
1-month
$3.95
You
may pay with all major credit cards and debit cards.
What
if I prefer to pay by check?
We
will continue to accept payment by check, using a form on the
website. When you complete the form, we will email you a link to
create your Membership access account so that you will have access
while your check is in the mail.
What
about PayPal?
If
you have a current Subscription with PayPal payment, and wish to
continue with that form of payment, you may do so, although at the
old Subscription prices. When we receive notice of your PayPal
purchase, we will email you a link to create your Membership access
account.
What
about the Free BC access I have?
The
Black Commentator has done its best to accommodate everyone who has
requested a free Subscription. This is not all that viable a business
model, especially if huge numbers of readers request free access,
however, we have continued to provide more and more free
Subscriptions, in light of the economic challenges many readers have
faced in the last two years. Beginning in the New Year, we ask that
you support The Black Commentator with one of our four Membership
plans. In the event you are unable to do so, please email us and we
will work with you to ensure you keep your access to BC.
What
about Financial Contributions?
The
Black Commentator appreciates the generosity of those readers who
make financial contributions of any amount. If you wish to continue
providing that additional support to BC, thank you. Unless you cancel
your PayPal recurring contribution, that will continue. You will,
however, need a Membership in order to read an entire current issue
(the Cover Story will be free to everyone, Member or not.) Please
note: if you are currently a recurring financial contributor and
unable to purchase a Membership, by virtue of your organization’s
Bylaws or some other reason, please send us an email and we will work
with you to make sure you keep your access to BC.
Moving
to a Membership-based structure has several key advantages for
Members:
It will make it possible for BC to
explore ways to encourage discourse among Members so that all
readers may be involved in The Black Commentator.
It allows us to lower prices
because our processing fees are less with the new structure, and
It enables us to provide better
service to our Members. For example, we are currently exploring the
possibility of offering referral dollars or Membership credit to
Members who help grow the BC Membership. More on that will be
forthcoming.
Please
be sure to check your email as we will be sending you specific
information so that you will have uninterrupted access to BC.
If
you have any questions or comments, please click
here.
This
Issue #892 is the last issue of 2021. Thank you for your readership
and support. We at BC are so excited to have found a new structure
for the business end of The Black Commentator that will enable us to
provide you with thoughtful, relevant commentary on issues affecting
the Black Community in 2022 and for many years to come. We wish you a
happy Holiday Season and peace in these uncertain times.
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