I am helping out a friend and was going replace an old light fixture in his closet. Upon removeing the old fixture I noticed the wiring was wrapped in cloth shielding. The wiring within the cloth is insulated with rubber but both wires coating is black and both wires are copper. The cloth is old and slightly discolored. One is shielded in what I believe is white clothe the other is shielded in white and black stripe. I am assuming the the white and black stripe is the hot or black wire in todays fixtures. Hopefully someone can help me out and point me in the right direction. My cousin said it doesn't matter when I am installing a light fixture whether or not I connect the hot (black wire) on the fixture to the hot that is in the electrical box in the ceiling. I told him he is full of it. Is he correct or am I? I hope the vast knowledge available from the forum members will be able guide me in the right direction.