This journal issue examines the seventeenth century as a pivotal moment in the development of modernity, exploring its entanglements with colonialism, capitalism, and marginalized perspectives. It features diverse approaches to early modern legacies, from the cultural agency of black slave communities in colonial plantation systems to the subversive potential of early modern materialist philosophy. By highlighting overlooked voices and decentralized narratives, this issue offers a critical reimagining of global modernity's historical and conceptual foundations.