Lyfe Polnitz, 13, says she’s protesting so her brothers “won’t have to face police brutality or racism in the future.” (Photo provided by Lorenzya Polnitz)
Lyfe Polnitz, 13, wanted to make a difference after hearing about the death of George Floyd and the protests that sprung up across the nation.
An eighth grader at Northwest Lutheran School, she has spent almost every day for over two weeks attending protests, participating in chants and trying to make her voice heard alongside her mother and other protesters.
Lyfe Polnitz attends a protest with her three younger brothers. (Photo provided by Lorenzya Polnitz)
Lyfe, the sixth of nine children, said she protests for her six brothers.
“I want to help make a change, so my brothers won’t have to face police brutality or racism in the future,” Lyfe said. “I don’t want them to have to be scared to go places.”
“I have heart-to-heart conversation with my younger brothers about it,” she said. “I try to help them understand everything that is going on so aren’t afraid.”
Lyfe said she was always taught to stand up for what she believes in.
“I had to explain police brutality and racism to my children in an unfiltered way,” said Lorenzya Polnitz, Lyfe’s mother. “Because of the realness of the situation and because I don’t know when little Black children become threats, I’m trying to make them understand early.”
Polnitz said she feels being part of the protests is good for her daughter.
“The unfortunate truth is that she’ll probably have to protest like this again later in her life,” she said. “I want to be sure she knows what it looks like to advocate for herself.”
PrincessSafiya Byers was born and raised in Milwaukee, and is a 2020 graduate of Marquette University, majoring in Journalism and Africana Studies. Her commitment to her community has led her to nonprofit work with local youth and families. She’s also interned with the Milwaukee Community Journal and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and joins Milwaukee NNS as a Report for America Staff Reporter looking to serve democracy by covering issues important to the community.
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I wish the photographer had put Lyfe’s mother in the picture next to her. It would have made for a more memorable photo to share when they look back on this time in the future.
I’m so proud of you Lyfe