And we know that solutions are more likely to come if more people from different backgrounds enter the field and if each wave of newly minted economists reflects the makeup of the country. We are more likely to consider professions when we see ourselves reflected in their ranks, especially in prominent positions.
That can be a Catch-22: You cannot see yourself reflected in the ranks if you are underrepresented, yet you cannot grow the ranks without representation. But our hands are not tied.