Black Planet is actually a very large and comprehensive site for black folks. I'm just reviewing the bit speficially for dating, called Black Planet Love. Perhaps because the site isn't geared strictly toward dating, the minimum age for signing up is 13. I'm not sure if they prohibit folks under 18 from creating BPL profiles.
The site has several chatrooms, including 20something, 30something, 40something, gay male, college, and lesbian. You can also create your own. Only thing is, the folks in the chatrooms may not be looking for a partner, because that's separate from the personals area.
The main site also gives members space for a personal webpage, which is pretty cool.
Because the site is so darn huge and has so many different bits, I found it kind of complicated to figure out. I created an account just for checking the subscription prices, and it took me a solid 10 minutes just to figure out how to cancel that account.
In the profile-setting-up section, for sexual orientation you can choose het, bi, gay, lesbian, or “that’s my business!” Profiles include the standard info about age, location, interests, children, profession, and also the college you attended and when you graduated. There are three short essays, which I think provide good questions and enough room for answers. Sadly, many people don't bother to complete them, or they leave such illuminating info as "Just kickin' it."
Non-paying members can expess a "crush" on someone and tell them why in a slightly-modifiable form letter, or add themselves to your list of admirers. I've only been on the site for a couple of weeks and already I have 45 admirers! Wow! That's good for a dame's ego.
Like many other dating sites, Black Planet Love gives members (paying members) a way to keep track of members they find interesting. Here, they call it a Hotlist. If you want to add someone to your hotlist, you must rate the person as “hot” “sexy” or “cute.” Another interesting feature is a a voice messaging system, on which you can record a greeting for free, but you must pay $1.99/min. to leave other people messages or check your own. Their instant-messaging system is called “Instant Love,” but I was never able to get it to work. Be aware that their term for intra-site emails is "notes." On other sites, I've found that "notes" are generally the email equivalent of form postcards.
I've been having a hell of a time finding people to interview for this site. Maybe it's because I'm caucasian. One guy did tell me this: "I initially signed on to meet more women, so I felt that getting online would broaden my search. It has been both good and bad....I like the options provided by BP, but the server is pathetic....and is always down or takes so long to navigate."
I spoke with J.H.F., a 33-year-old hetero man in CT, who has been a member for a year and a half. He says, "I joined because it's been very challenging to meet a woman the old fashioned way; so many are about the 'bling, bling' or social status as opposed to character and loyalty. So, I thought to try something new... So far, its not much different." He says he's found that "most of the ladies that are the more intriguing and about the realities of relationships and are ready for them are always a distance away from me."
His advice to others: "Just be open to the fact that the person you desire may not be wrapped in the decorations you want. Real connections have a strange way of appearing to you."
Then I spoke with C.C., a 44-year-old hetero woman in SC, who has been a member for about five years. "I love the conversations in my free time, and there are some nice people," but she has only found one guy who was "willing to marry right now and serious." She appreciates "being able to go on BP and know that someone really cares. Some have become like family, some really need support--like some I`ve met from Iraq that just need someone to be there for them." She hates the "damn popups." She suggests that others "Be real. Sometimes you`ll meet really crazy-#@* people. Just don`t be like them. You should make the difference."
C.C. did have a difficult experience at BP: "Once my e-mail was really running over with e-mail from guys and I was like, 'Man what happened?' It was so unreal. Well some nut case got my profile or whatever he used, and he e-mailed guys and told them I was a sex piece and 'get it while it`s hot.' However, there are some pretty cool guys out there, for one of the guys who received the e-mail emailed me and informed me of what was going on. He said he had sisters and a mom, and that I didn`t look like I was that kind of person, GOD BLESS HIM." C.C. changed her username, and let a select few know about the change. Visit Site
