What is Mrs. Logan's defintion way of things

Cassie is upset because after Lillian Jean Simms pushed her off the sidewalk, Big Ma made her apologize to her, which was not fair. Mrs. Logan explains to Cassie that this is the "the way of things" in the South. It would have cost them more not to apologies in the long run. Blacks were treated badly by whites, and there is little they can do about it.