Inside scoop from a creative director: Designers aren't toning down contrast to reduce eyestrain or to avoid black. It's an attempt (really a hack) to simplify a busy page / UI. They are telling you it's too much content on the screen at one time.
If you aren't empowered to trim the content, you can at least tone the type down in contrast & size to make it appear to be less. Every time I see subtle grey text on a marketing page, I can hear the designer thinking, "no one is really going to read this anyway."
Just like in speaking, my advice is to make your words bold but few.