The Common Spelling of La-a

One day at lunch you asked me a question

Your inquiry surprised me
And made me wonder
Did you ever see me?
Because you asked me to explain

Why a mother named her daughter La-dash-a

Like I should know the reason
For a line instead of letters
Among the Suris, Apples and Shilohs,
Children always bear their parents' choices

So, what's the difference?

Why did you think I would know
The reason La-a's mother named her
Because she and I are both
Colored, Negro, Black, African American

Women with nothing else in common

Just being seen as your opposite
Did you ever see me or our similarities
Before you asked me this question?
How dare you think I should know

The answer, I am just like you