When usage of language provokes a lot of flak, do we (1) decide that the people generating the flak are dumb and wrong, or (2) we wonder if we're choosing a problematic way to communicate?

For instance, suppose you report "the blaze was put out by individuals engaging in fire-suppression activity". If 99.8% of the fire was put out by professional firefighters, this language could rightfully be seen as diminishing the critical role they play.

You can erase people and contributions by choice of language. As someone who seems to have an affiliation for politically correct speech, I would think that would be pretty top of mind for you. So you'd be able to have a thoughtful discussion of the issues here rather than blowing off one perspective.