Contemporary Caribbean cultures and societies in a global context Introduction Teresita Martínez Vergne and Franklin W. Knight Challenges to Caribbean economies in the era of globalization Helen McBain Globalization the World Bank and the Haitian economy Alex Dupuy Creolization in Havana: the oldest form of globalization Antonio Benítez Rojo Showing face: Boxing and nation building in contemporary Puerto Rico Frances Negrón Muntaner Creolité in the hood: diaspora as source and challenge Juan Flores Glocal spirituality: consumerism and heritage in a Puerto Rican Afro Latin folk religion Raquel Romberg Womens grass roots organizations in the Dominican Republic: real and imagined female figures Valentina Peguero Race and politics in Cuba Aline Helg Jamaican reggae and the articulation of social and historical consciousness in musical discourse Jorge L. Giovannetti Rum revolution and globalization: past present and future of a Caribbean product Anthony P. Maingot