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I think the school's intent is to expose their students to differing viewpoints/perspectives on the subject of slavery with an eye toward understanding the mindset of mid-ninteenth century southern society. The booklet apparently is used as a counterbalance to the works of Harriet Beecher Stowe and others that are also part of the curiculum.

I'm skeptical in light of the discussions I've had with some followers of Doug Wilson and his ilk. Anyone can go and search out the different sides of a story. I've read similar booklets and it's all about making excuses. They don't want to appear to be giving into the likes of the SPLC (not that I can blame them).

Re: "The booklet apparently is used as a counterbalance to the works of Harriet Beecher Stowe and others that are also part of the curiculum."

I've read Stowe, I really don't think it is possible to counterbalance her work. Most of the point of Uncle Tom's Cabin was to show how even good and well meaning slave owners could not make the institution okay. In fact there is only one truly bad actor (Simon Legree) two of Uncle Tom's owners were almost saintly and most of the others somewhere in-between (selfish would be the best word to describe them) but far from evil.

I still can not figure how Uncle Tome became a pejorative term considering Uncle Tom was the only slave that stood up to the evil Simon Legree, and paid for it with his life. You really have to read the book. I fear most only think they know what it is about. It is really a morality tale. Very powerful, very moving.