Sociology is peculiar in that its foundations lie in the works of “canonical” intellectuals, conventionally Marx, Weber and Durkheim. W.E.B. Du Bois presents one counterpoint to the canon and a lightning rod for “decolonization” sweeping through sociology. The talk considers four responses to decolonizing the canon: restoration, rejection, revolution or reconstruction. The talk undertakes “reconstruction” by putting Du Bois into dialogue with Marx, Weber and Durkheim with radical consequences for social science but also challenges for Du Bois.