Wright says that he "had begun coping with the white world too late," and by this I think he means that he is finally understanding that he is incapable of lowering his self standards to fill the role that the whites have created for him. He comes to this realization after working several petty and trivial jobs in these two chapters. He is unable to conform and become conditioned to the behavior expected of him. When a white employer or white co-worker is rude, patronizing, and racist toward him he simply moves jobs. Wright hadn't been raised in such a segregated and demeaning kind of place so he isn't accustomed to the idea that this is normal and expected. Also, because he has recognized the injustice that so bluntly occurs, and realizes that the cause is unjustifiable he refuses to except it.