Every day it seems we hear about what divides us.

We hear it from news reports, we hear it via social media, we hear it from our friends and neighbors, and we even hear it from our president. You don’t need to hear it from me — you can hear it just about anywhere, and you can see it if you look at the letters to the editor included in today’s edition of The Times Leader.

I often use this space to share some tale that I believe readers will enjoy. Whether I share stories of my recent travels, memories of childhood experiences or details of my daily struggles to cultivate and maintain a summer garden, I try to inform, entertain and relate to all of you.

Today, I am limiting the amount of space devoted to what I have to say, so that our readers can hear from all those who felt compelled to write to me to share their opinions. I couldn’t be more thrilled to yield the floor.

I rarely share my own thoughts on matters of politics or opinions expressed here by others. Today, though, I feel I must comment on a phrase used by one of the letter writers featured below.

Tom Morgan of Belmont begins his letter by writing about “Our paper’s editorial page.”

Regardless of what Mr. Morgan includes in the remaining content of his letter, he is absolutely correct that this is “our paper.” It is the local newspaper for Eastern Ohio that strives each day to bring you all the latest news about what is happening right here at home.

Just as important, though, is that this newspaper is a forum for YOUR thoughts, YOUR opinions and whatever YOU want to share with all of our readers.

Thank you, Mr. Morgan, for pointing that out, right from the very beginning of your letter. And thanks to all of the readers who took the time to write letters to the editor to be published in today’s edition.

It’s true. People disagree. Deep divisions do exist among folks here in our region and across our great nation.

Jesse Jackson once said, “At the end of the day, we must go forward with hope and not backward by fear and division.”

The only way to accomplish that is to hear and respect one another. It is my hope that by helping to facilitate such communication here on these pages, The Times Leader can make Eastern Ohio an even better place.