I don't play sport, I just don't enjoy it. I don't know the rules to footy, and wouldn't know what to do with a cricket bat, and don't want to spend hours running in circles around a field. But that's not what people assume when they meet me.

I come from a really successful family. We've had sporting stars, school captains, school duxes, readers, thinkers, leaders in all kinds of fields. But that's not what people assume when they pass me on the street.

I come from a proud people, an ancient nation, and a strong community that's survived genocide, and forced removal, and grand theft, but that's not what people think about when they shake my hand.

That's not what they think about, because they are ignorant.

That's not what they think about because they've never studied the history of this country, because they've never learnt about Aboriginal languages or customs, because all they know about this country's indigenous people is what they see on TV, and all they ever show on TV is the bad stuff.

Oh, and the occasional sporting star.

It's not easy for young Aboriginal kids to do well in school when they are constantly working against all the stereotypes and ignorance of those around them. It's not easy when all they see in the media is stories of failure, simply because the stories of success don't ‘fit in' with stereotypes that are wrapped around their culture and history.

It wears you down, because no matter how well you do you'll never break out of the stereotypes held by others, and then if you do stuff up, even for a moment, they can sit back and say - yes, we expected that to happen.

But really what excuse is there for people who live in Australia today, not to know more about aboriginal history? What excuse is there for an Australian living in Australia in 2008 not to be able to name a single Aboriginal nation? What excuse is there for them to hold onto stereotypes when they are demonstrably false?

The problem isn't our failure, it's your ignorance.

Knowledge isn't something to be scared of, it's something to be celebrated, and a little bit of knowledge would go a long way in taking down the assumptions and stereotypes against which Aboriginal kids struggle every day.

So here's a plan; help us by helping yourself. If the rest of Australia spent some time actually finding out about the cultures of Aboriginal Australians, maybe, just maybe they'll be forced to rethink the stereotypes they've held onto for so long. Maybe if they knew about the real history of this country they'd have to reassess some of the false assumptions they've held onto for so long.

And maybe, when the meet me, they'll be able to see me for who I am, not for what they expect me to be.

Angeline Penrith is a Sydney resident, and proud of her history and traditions.