“White lies” have tangible consequences, which is why it is that much more concerning when white women — like Patricia Ripley — feel comfortable blaming black men for crimes they did not commit. Racial hoaxes like hers are a very real reminder that many people still hold nefarious stereotypes of black men. Further, miscarriages of justice highlight the enduring reality of systematic racial biases in policing and jurisprudence. This serves only to contribute to the existing climate of anxiety and fear, and perpetuates mistrust of societal institutions in the black community.