'Dear White People' Star Tessa Thompson Defends New Netflix Series

Tessa Thompson's got a message for anyone cancelling their Netflix membership over a new series that eyes racial tension through various lenses -- stop being silly.

Tessa -- who starred in the "Dear White People" movie -- was out at LAX Tuesday when she defended the upcoming show based on the popular indie film. Tessa's adamant people 86ing their membership is EXACTLY why the new series -- a satirical take on race -- is needed more than ever.

Check it out ... Tessa makes a compelling case.