In the letters, Bai wrote:“Some people say that marrying a peasant is no good, but in my opinion, the kind of people who covet personal enjoyment and look down on farmers are the most pathetic… Some people say that staying behind in the countryside has no future, while I firmly believe that toiling in the vast countryside for one’s whole life is a great accomplishment and has a bright future.”When Bai sent her letters, it was when the Maoist left, led by Jiang Qing, was doubling down on the Campaign to Criticize Lin Biao and Confucius. The sent-down youth, especially those who married local peasants and “put down roots” in the villages, were praised as heroes. With this context, Bai’s marriage to the local farmer was set as an example, and state media used her story as propaganda to call for other sent-down youth to follow Bai.
Bai wrote:“Some people claim that marrying a peasant is undesirable, but I think those who pursue personal pleasure and look down on farmers are the most pitiful… Some individuals assert that remaining in the countryside has no prospects, whereas I firmly believe that devoting one's life to laboring in the vast countryside is a remarkable achievement with a bright future.”When Bai sent her letters, it was during the time the Maoist left, led by Jiang Qing, intensified its Campaign to Criticize Lin Biao and Confucius. The sent-down youth, particularly those who married local peasants and “put down roots” in the villages, were commended as heroes. With this context, Bai’s marriage to the local farmer was presented as an example, and state media utilized her story as propaganda to encourage other sent-down youth to follow Bai.