WASHINGTON D.C. – A catastrophic nationwide decline in personal self-worth has been directly linked to the recent, albeit temporary, cessation of prominent civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson’s iconic 'I Am Somebody' affirmation, sources confirmed Tuesday. Experts are warning of an impending 'Identity Recession' as citizens, no longer receiving daily verbal validation, struggle with basic tasks like ordering coffee or remembering their own names.

Dr. Elara Vance, lead behavioral economist at the Institute for Existential Metrics, noted, “Our data shows a direct correlation. When the Reverend paused his affirmations for a 72-hour period last week, national self-esteem scores dropped by an unprecedented 47.3%. People just… forgot who they were. Some even tried to pay for groceries with their driver’s licenses.”

Local resident Mildred Jenkins, 68, shared her harrowing experience. “I woke up last Thursday and just felt… blank. My husband asked me if I wanted toast, and I just stared at him, wondering if I was even qualified to *have* toast. It was terrifying. Thank goodness the affirmations resumed by Saturday.”

Officials at the Department of Affirmative Identity Assurance are reportedly fast-tracking a new 'Emergency Self-Worth Declaration' program, aiming to deputize thousands of volunteers to tell confused citizens they are, indeed, somebody, even if Rev. Jackson is unavailable.