Filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman (pbs.org/independentlens)

Join The Root as we live-stream WGBH TV's Basic Black program, which will tackle a controversial issue: Is Black History Month still necessary?

Filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman asks this question in his upcoming documentary, More Than a Month, which chronicles the adventures and lessons from Tilghman's one-man cross-country campaign to end Black History Month.

Experts will also weigh in on the coverage of Whitney Houston. Did media outlets do a respectful job in reporting the icon's death? Or did they leave much to be desired?

Viewers can watch live online as experts address both issues. Panelists include Callie Crossley, host and executive editor of WGBH radio; Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature and publishing at Emerson College; Peniel Joseph, professor of history at Tufts University; and Omar Wasow, co-founder of Black Planet and contributor to The Root.

The Root will participate via live chat, which you can join using the module below. Use it to comment and ask questions during and after the discussion.

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To see the televised broadcast, log on to worldcompass.org for your local listing.

Check out the live chat and the live webcast here at 7:15 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 17, or at basicblack.org.

Basic Black Live February 17, 2012