America didn't change on Tuesday.

Such a notion of sudden transformation would diminish the struggle of generations and the effort of millions to elevate ourselves — culturally, intellectually, socially — in a long and difficult national evolution. It would deny sacrifices large and small that led to a nation electing Barack Obama as our first black president. And it would suggest that our work is done, which is far from the truth.

Instead our nation recorded a milestone. We elected a world leader who represents a culture that came from slavery, whose parents' generation was denied the basic human dignity of water fountains and bus seats, and whose own life has been devoted, not so much to overcoming past injustice as striving to transcend it.

Regardless of political philosophy, regardless of party affiliation, regardless even of ongoing prejudices, all Americans can take pride in what President Bush on Wednesday called ''a triumph of the American story.''

This, as much as anything else, was the theme on Wednesday, in conversations across the world and throughout our community.

This American story is told in your voices, as gathered here by Akron Beacon Journal reporters, a varied chorus of opinion, reflection, apprehension and hope that taken together suggests the complicated harmony of a nation finding its way.

Compiled by Beacon Journal staff reporters.

Raeed Tayeh, 32, of North Canton, an Arab-American writer who describes himself as a Democrat:

''America changed in two ways: First, people are inspired again, not only by the historical significance of President-elect Obama's win, but by the example that he has set with his infectious hope, determined spirit, and all of the other qualities that have made him a role model and hero for tens of millions of people. And secondly, America instantly reclaimed the mantle of leader of the free world. We are once again that beacon on the hill that the world looks to with admiration, not fear and antipathy.''

Christine Clancy, 23, of Independence, a white student at the University of Akron:

''It not only changes America, it changes a lot of things outside America. The fact that we can elect a black American is amazing.''

Alan Bleyer, 59, of Richfield, president and chief executive of Akron General Health System, who describes himself as a white, Jewish independent voter.

''This is a historic change that will raise America's image on the world's stage. I'm part of the generation that lived through John [Kennedy] and the horrible slaying of Martin Luther King. To reach the point in our history where an African-American has moved to center stage is absolutely exhilarating.''

Silvia Pilcher, 42, Hispanic owner of the San Miguel Latin Market in Akron, who has been in the United States for 19 years and considers herself a conservative:

''It's a big step. The race barrier has gotten shorter. There are still people who are racists, but with Obama in power, maybe people are willing to unite — or reunite.

''To be honest, I'm still scared about the economy. If you're rich, you've made it. If you're poor, you can get help from the government. But if you are middle class, you've got to keep working harder and harder just to survive.''

Beth Johnson, 48, of Akron, a secretary, who describes her background as ''Heinz 57'' (German, Irish, French and English) and who is a Democrat:

''America came of age on Tuesday. The candidate who presented himself the best and has given us the most hope for a better life was chosen . . . and it had nothing to do with his age, religion or his race. What a wonderful thing!''

Toka S. Clayton, 39, customer accounting associate at FirstEnergy Corp., who describes herself as African-American and a Democrat.

''It's been very emotional for me. And you're going to make me cry all over again. I've been able to be part of history. I'm now part of someone's dream. And it's both unreal and real to me. . . . Barack Obama's victory allowed people to just let go and realize that we're all the same. It broke all racial and sexual-orientation barriers. . . . It didn't really hit me until this morning, when I heard Marvin Sapp's Never Could Have Made It on the radio. And then my 14-year-old son Mychal said, 'Mommy, I'll actually get to vote in the next presidential election.' ''

Evelyn Garver, 81, of Akron, a retired administrative assistant from the University of Akron:

''There are so many ways that it changed. I feel it's change that is long overdue and hopefully this will help end any racism in the country. I hope it stops it. I'm glad to see that it happened and I think it will be good. I do feel it's got so much promise and hope in it. It's something I'm so proud to have lived to see.''

Tajah Smith, 13, an African-American student at Copley-Fairlawn Middle School, who would be a Democrat if she were old enough to vote:

''America changed. Our economy will be getting better. And racism will disappear. We will all be more equal.''

Raj Aggarwal, 60, of Chesterland, Indian-Asian dean of the business school at the University of Akron, who describes himself as an independent:

''People who felt disenfranchised in the economy will feel a little different now. . . . [Obama] will bring that fresh thinking to Washington.''

Sean Brown, 19, of Painesville, who considers himself Irish-American and a Libertarian:

''I believe in small government and isolationism, for the most part. I don't think the government should have a whole lot of power. The election won't change things at all because they are all politicians — a one-party system masquerading as two parties.''

Matt Horak, 33, of Akron, a ''white, mutt'' restaurant deliveryman and freelance artist who describes himself as fairly liberal:

''It feels like the people who are thinking and compassionate, the people who aren't just blindly following fear or greed, have overtaken the ignorant. I think, symbolically, to not have an old white guy in office is a huge, huge thing and it doesn't just change America, but how we look to the world and how the world looks at us.''

Beverly Coggins, 57, of Cuyahoga Falls, a foster parent, professional organizer, speaker and author of the 1-2-3 . . . Get Organized book series, who describes herself as white and a conservative:

''I just kind of have a wait-and-see attitude. . . . The fact that so many people, and especially young people, voted is exciting. . . . [But] I feel we may move to a liberal agenda, which scares me a bit.''

Paul G. Perantinides, 64, of Bath Township, an attorney and first-generation Greek-American:

''Because of [Obama's] gift of intellect, the way he was raised, his work ethic, his being an educator and his charisma, he was able to take his case to the American people. . . . He saw past all the rhetoric and all of the masquerade. . . . We are NOT a divided America. That's been a political strategy to pit us against one another. . . .

''Fifty-four years ago, I sat at a breakfast table in Campbell, Ohio, preparing my immigrant mother for the exam to take the oath as an American citizen. As proud as I was then as a 10-year-old when she was sworn in, gaining her American citizenship that day, it was minimal compared to the pride I had when it was announced Barack Obama is the president-elect. . . .

''He will lead us to put to rest forever a political theory that is divisive with a personal agenda that benefits special interests. Politicians have hijacked religion in this country and used it as a wedge and to the detriment of dividing the country, which to me is the biggest sin of anything I can think of. . . . Barack Obama is now the lobbyist for all the people.''

Vincent Curry, 45, of Akron, executive director of the Fair Housing Advocates Association, who describes himself as an ''independent Democrat'' and African-American:

''The great dichotomy of this country has always been that the phrases 'We the people' and 'All men are created equal' were never meant to apply to blacks. Through faith, blood, sweat and tears, the United States has, sadly with all deliberate speed, moved toward closing the gap between its ideals and the realities of inequality based upon race or color that have continued to exist in our great country.

''The election of Sen. Barack Obama as our 44th president shows that the people of the United States of America have taken hold of the sentiments echoed by Dr. King, in that it is not the color that makes a man, but it is the content of his character and the dreams and aspirations that he puts forth.

''Sen. Obama's election represents what America, the great melting pot, can accomplish when people, young and old, black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight, put aside their differences to accomplish something great.''

Endalk Wedegebrace, 29, of Ethiopia, studying at the University of Akron on a student visa:

''I was told [Obama] wouldn't be president. All previous presidents have been white. I didn't think electing a black man would happen in my lifetime.''

Eric Mansfield, 40, of Akron, anchor-reporter for WKYC (Channel 3), who sums up his politics as ''unbiased journalist'':

''I think America is finally convinced that anything is possible. If an African-American kid, raised by a single mother, can be elected president during a time of war and major job losses, no one can make an excuse for not trying to improve their lives and their community. There's no obstacle that's too great.

''I think history will find that America was overdue for this moment. Just as my generation looks at my grandparents' generation and says, 'What do you mean, you had drinking fountains labeled by race?' I feel that my grandchildren will look at me and say, 'What do you mean, no African-American had been president?' ''

John Piscitelli, 80, of Uniontown, a business owner who describes himself as conservative:

''I'm happy to see that we've got this thing behind us. If we all stick together, good things will happen.''

Beth Knorr, 36, of Canton, market manager for the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy that promotes farming in the Cuyahoga Valley, who calls herself Eastern European-Irish and a faithful Democrat:

''It was a historic election that really puts a new face on America. We have overcome our sordid past and put an African-American in the White House.''

Ed Sturkey, 53, an Akron firefighter who is an ''American of African decent'' and a self-described conservative:

''Two things: The election was certainly a historic event given the history of our country. And, secondly, I would say during the last 18 months, I've heard the word 'change' a lot, but the change is yet to be seen. . . . We need a massive reforming of government but not a reconstruction of government based on a socialist model.''

Tim Arborgast, 50, of Norton, a pressman at a printing company, who describes himself as white and conservative:

''People put aside their differences and elected a man who they felt would take this country forward and in the right direction. I think now Congress . . . must act and lead by example and get to work by using common-sense ideology and not act like 3- or 4-year-olds bickering because they are from the red or blue party. Let's get to work and get this country on the right track.''

Devona Brazier, 26, of Akron, a self-employed artisan and homemaker, who describes herself as politically moderate and an independent:

''I think that we made great progress. I think we're more aware of what we can accomplish and how far we have to go.''

Walter Adams, 72, of Kent, a retired university professor and administrator, who describes himself as English-German-Scotch-Irish and a longtime Democrat:

''People responded to social discussion and responded to new ideas. They have elected a younger person with the necessary energy and the needed organizational skills to be president. . . . It's time for new ideas. People want solutions.''

Anil Abichandani, 50, of Aurora, who owns a Sunoco service station in Canton and describes himself as an Asian and a Democrat:

''This election changed America in a big way. We went through a cultural barrier. Hopefully, things will turn out better.''

Helen Fusco, 48, of Akron, who works in a government office and describes herself as Caucasian and a Democrat:

''We now have a chance to regain our leadership role in the world and get our self-respect back. I believe that our troops overseas now have a president who has their best interests at heart and won't just throw them to the wolves for his own agenda. There was a calm all over the city and state on Tuesday and the emotions that flooded out of everyone late Tuesday night were unmatched in my lifetime.''

Gabrielle J. Tyree, 66, of Akron, customer service representative, who's African-American and a Democrat:

''The word 'change' has a new meaning. Americans made me proud. This election left me with a great sense of pride and united people all over the world.''

Pete Buczkowski, 62, of Streetsboro, a school custodian and Democratic City Council president, whose German family moved to America from Venezuela in 1959:

''Hopefully, everybody realizes that we are all people. I am glad it turned out the way it did.''

Rich Ferris, 56, of Akron, pastor of Firestone Park Christian Church and the Barberton Christian Park, who describes himself as a Democrat of German and English descent:

''We were able to look past those physical differences and actually see the person and the man, and I think that is who people voted for. I felt that my voice was heard for the first time.''

Becky Gulsvig, 26, of New York City, star of the touring company of Legally Blonde: The Musical, which is coming to Cleveland, who calls herself ''quite liberal'' and of Scandinavian descent:

''I just think it's a big step, not only because of the election of an African-American, although that is big. It's also the importance of many new voters . . . to see how interested people were in the election.''

Diane Clute, 65, of Akron, retired collections coordinator for General Tire, who describes herself as a Democrat:

''I think there is a more positive idea that change is possible. I think the future looks good. I have more faith that Obama can handle situations because he listens. He doesn't appear to jump to conclusions or put his own agenda ahead of what is good for the country.''

Roger Marble, 63, of Brimfield Township, a semiretired engineer for Bridgestone Firestone Co., who has mostly voted Republican recently but volunteered for Obama's campaign:

The election taught people ''they can participate in this government. We've got a 229-year experiment going on. It still seems to be working. . . . People believe their vote counted and were willing to go to extraordinary efforts.''

John Sniezek, 57, of Kent, senior leader of Akron Community Health Resources Inc., who describes himself as a blue-collar Caucasian with ''the heart of a liberal but the business sense of a conservative'':

''There will probably be a refocusing on health care and how can we address the growing number of uninsured and medically needy in our country, which basically follows the unemployment and downsizing of companies across our country. . . . Certainly, there will not be funding and/or resources available at the federal government or the state level. It's going to be a local issue to deal with. . . . We do need to do something different — at least look at things from a fresh perspective. That in itself springs hope that change will occur, even if it's incremental.''

The Rev. Jimmy Taylor, 60, of Cuyahoga Falls, a staff pastor at the House of the Lord in Akron, who describes himself as an independent with a conservative bent:

''Looking at President-elect Obama, Joe Biden and their families, we've changed visibly to a multicultural entity in the White House that is more reflective of America. Philosophically, we have seen a political transformation — the evolution of democracy in America . . . from a time of people being denied the right to vote to the election of an African-American as our next president.''

Jana DeLoach, 45, of Akron, attorney, who describes herself as a Caucasian and a Democrat who supports ''whoever is fair'':

''Having someone that's concerned with the welfare of the common man — not just giving breaks to big business and people of means — I think our economy will improve exponentially. And if we have someone who's a minority leading our country, it will help overcome racial differences. There still is continued racism, but when he shows nonbelievers, people who are racist, that an African-American can and will be an excellent president, maybe he can convince some of those people that they should change their ways.''

Walter T. Madison, 36, of Akron, attorney, who describes himself as black and someone who doesn't necessarily align himself with any particular party:

''The country has changed 200 percent for the better. I just hope and pray that everyone is prepared to really embrace the change that we were so motivated by and so inspired by. . . . I saw people from all over the world celebrating [Obama's] election. I think the country and the world are in a better place.

''Of course, he's standing on the shoulders of other giants — Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers, Rosa Parks — but he's doing more for race relations with his presidency than any single event or movement ever could. It is kind of the pinnacle of the entire movement.

''So as we embrace this change, if we stay true to the inspiration of his campaign, I think that we can once again return to our rightful place in the world as the leader.''

Carla Davis, 49, of Akron, marketing communications director for the Akron-Summit County Public Library, who's an African-American and considers herself largely a Democrat:

'' I think America started looking forward and embraced forward thinking.''

Tony Smith, 18, of Avon, a student at the University of Akron:

''I think the election was good for both the African-American and white races and says a lot about how far this country has come.''

Sarah Dietz, 14, is a student at Copley-Fairlawn Middle School whose ancestors came from England and who considers herself a Democrat:

''We made history. It's going to change things a lot. Now, regardless of your background or color, you can do whatever you want.''

Jamal Ferrasta, 54, of Fairlawn, an assistant professor of hospitality management at the University of Akron who lives in Fairlawn, was born in Myanmar and raised in Pakistan and is not a U.S. citizen:

''It was fantastic. It put aside a lot of myths about race and gender and literally demonstrated the openness of this society. . . . The reaction around the world is phenomenal. Everybody thinks this is unbelievable. It shows how open this society is and how accepting of ideas and changes. . . . Obama is a very international person. It will wake up a lot of people across America to the idea of multi-culturalism and Kenya will get a tourism boom.''

Ken Oppenheimer, 34, of Copley Township, co-owner of Sushi on the Roll, who is white and describes himself as a moderate Republican who voted for Obama, ''as more of a vote against Bush and the current state of affairs'':

''I think you have people and their perception of the way the world is — the economy and politics of how things are — doesn't exist anymore. I think people are starting to realize that there is more possible than the status quo, especially our younger generation. They're starting to see the country in a different light. Because everything up to this point has been about not stepping out of bounds and about being cautious, because it's all been about political gain, as opposed to unification.''

Paul Ruder, 52, of Defiance, a white truck driver who said he ''leans Democrat'' and doesn't like what's he's hearing on his CB radio from fellow drivers:

''I hear on the CB a lot of bull about rumors, stuff that's going to happen. I think more racial prejudice is coming with this. I think he's going to be a good president. But I hear a lot racial stuff from others.''

Rhonda Cotleur, 41, of Bath Township, an HVAC estimator, who says she's white and a ''Republican who voted for Obama'':

''Hopefully, we will now get out of our economic crisis and out of Iraq, sooner than later.''

Ossie Michalsen, 24, of Bergen, Norway, who is an M.B.A. graduate student at the University of Akron:

''It's a bit early [to see a change or impact in America], with it being the morning after. One thing that was very important in this election was that young people took part more, and that [Obama] appealed to a lot of Americans that other candidates could not appeal to in earlier elections.''

Tom Beck, 56, general manager of WZIP radio at the University of Akron, who describes himself as a Democrat:

''The whole country changed; everything changed. I know our problems are hard and we may not have seen the worst of things. Yet I am so thankful that my relatives came here, because it is the best place to be.''

Edward Rankin, 60, of Akron, who works as an auto collision repairman, is African-American and a Democrat:

''They have changed because blacks have more respect. They have it right now. Everyone is going to try to do better for Obama and everybody is going to try to do better except for the one or two oddballs.''

Jerry Burrell, 55, of Akron, an African-American truck driver and a Democrat:

''People are voting according to what they mean'' and not according to the basis of color. ''I think that has changed greatly.''

Chris Wilshusen, 19, of Akron, a personal care attendant, who is a white Democrat.

''It is our first black president. We don't have anything to base this on. Honestly, we are making progress. We are taking small steps.'' The country ''is not being run by old white men anymore.''

Roger Turner, 50, of Akron, an African-American who describes himself as a social liberal and a fiscal conservative:

''It was one of the proudest days of my life. It makes me want to do my very best, to give 110 percent.''

John Cairns, 60, of Twinsburg, a social studies teacher, who describes himself as a ''white guy'' who is a ''pragmatic, open-minded liberal'':

''I really think the world is looking at us differently — seeing that we are finally practicing what we say. . . . We are a young country, a little more than 200 years old. . . . With this election, we've grown a lot. We're entering a phase where we are maturing.''

William Monk, 60, an Irish Catholic from Uniontown, who is a job coach for Summit County Disability Services and describes himself as a Democrat:

''I thought Obama was the best candidate for change in America. Things couldn't get any worse with him.''

Karen Grindall, 62, of Akron, a teacher at Portage Path Elementary School, whose background is a ''Caucasian melting pot of a lot of European ethnicities'' and who describes herself as ''not a party voter,'' who evaluates each candidate's potential for leadership:

''I really thought of it as reuniting America . . . and [restoring] faith in the voting system again.''

David Ignizio, 33, of Akron, owner of Square Records in Highland Square, who describes himself as an ''Irish-Italian and some other things'' and left-leaning:

''It gives a lot of people hope for the future. That things won't be like they were for the past eight years, and as someone who agrees with most of the ideas [Obama] espoused, it gives me hope that some of those things may actually materialize and that we might find our way back on track and be less divisive as a country in the near future.''

John Wagner, 62, executive secretary/treasurer of the Tri-County Regional Labor Council in Akron, who describes himself as Caucasian-American and a staunch Democrat:

''I think we've elected a president who understands the extent of the economic problems facing the nation.''

Steve Hailer, 58, of Stow, president of North Akron Savings Bank, who describes himself as Caucasian-American and a confirmed centrist:

Obama is ''moving on to governing. He's accepted his role.''

Jack Kleinhenz, 56, of Cleveland Heights, a Caucasian-American economist who says he is a middle-of-the-road moderate:

''It is a pivotal, pivotal, pivotal time,'' when there will be a dialectic between proponents of a collective mentality and those who favor individualism.''

August A. Napoli Jr., 55, of Cleveland Heights, president and chief operating officer of the Summa Foundation, who describes himself as an Italian-American, independent voter:

''Yesterday's election demonstrated the passion that can be inspired by extraordinary leadership. With a message of hope and self-reliance, President-elect Obama unified our country during his campaign with a clear call to action to its citizens, regardless of their age, ethnicity or income. History was made this Election Day, and the torch has been passed to a new generation of not only voters, but volunteers, community activists and government reform advocates. It is my hope that this new generation will continue using President-elect Obama's courage, diplomacy and dignity as their model.''